More than a meltdown
The scene can be terrifying: overwhelming panic, intense emotional outbursts, a complete shutdown, or behavior that feels utterly out of character.
As a parent, witnessing your teenager unravel—experiencing what many describe as a mental breakdown—can leave you feeling helpless and frantic.
Your first instinct is to make it stop, to fix it, but in these moments, taking the right steps is crucial for your child’s safety and well-being.
If you’re searching for answers because you believe your teen is having a mental breakdown, please know that this is a crisis that requires immediate and careful attention.
You are not alone. Many feel unsure what to do if a family member is having a mental breakdown, and help is available.
Recognizing the signs: It’s not just a bad day
A mental breakdown, sometimes referred to by mental health professionals as a nervous breakdown or mental health crisis, isn’t a formal clinical diagnosis.
Instead, it describes a period of intense mental or emotional distress where a person feels overwhelmed and unable to cope with normal daily life.
In teenagers, this can manifest in various ways:
- Intense panic or anxiety: Uncontrollable panic attacks, racing heart, shortness of breath, and feeling like they can’t breathe or are going to die.
- Extreme mood swings: Intense sadness, anger, irritability, or euphoria that seem disproportionate to the situation.
- Withdrawal and isolation: Suddenly cutting off contact with friends and family or refusing to leave their room.
- Agitation and restlessness: Pacing, inability to sit still, excessive talking, or engaging in seemingly purposeless activity.
- Changes in sleep or appetite: Significant and sudden shifts in sleeping patterns (insomnia or sleeping excessively) or eating habits (loss of appetite or overeating).
- Difficulty thinking clearly: Confused thoughts, racing thoughts they can’t control, difficulty concentrating, or disorganized speech.
- Unusual behavior: Actions that seem bizarre or out of character, which can sometimes include paranoia or hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that aren’t there).
- Suicidal thoughts or self-harm: Expressing thoughts of wanting to hurt themselves or end their life or engaging in behaviors like cutting or burning. This requires immediate emergency help.
Immediate steps: What to do right now
If you believe your teen is having a mental breakdown, your priorities are keeping them safe and getting them immediate help. Here’s what you should do:
1. Stay calm (as hard as it is)
Your panic will only escalate their distress.
Take deep breaths and try to remain as calm and grounded as possible.
2. Ensure their (and your) immediate safety
If they are expressing suicidal thoughts or self-harming, remove any potential harmful objects and do not leave them alone.
If they become aggressive or threatening toward you or others, call 911 or a crisis hotline for immediate professional help.
3. Listen without judgment
If they are able to communicate, let them talk without interrupting, lecturing, or dismissing their feelings. Acknowledge their pain.
Phrases like “I hear that you’re feeling really overwhelmed” can be helpful.
4. Validate their feelings
Even if their reaction seems extreme, their feelings are real.
Avoid saying things like, “You’re overreacting” or “Just calm down.”
Instead, try “It sounds like you’re going through something incredibly difficult.”
5. Don’t try to “fix” it
This is not the time for problem-solving or offering long-term solutions.
Focus on getting them through the immediate crisis.
Seeking professional help: The next crucial step
A mental breakdown indicates a serious underlying issue that requires professional evaluation and treatment. The following are sources of immediate help:
Emergency services (911)
If your teen is an immediate danger to themselves or others, call 911 or take them to the nearest emergency room.
Mobile crisis teams
Many areas have mobile crisis teams that will send mental health professionals to assess the situation and provide immediate support and guidance.
Search online for “mobile crisis team [your county/city].”
Crisis hotlines
Organizations like the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (dial 988) and the Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741) can provide immediate support and connect you with resources.
Mental health professionals
Once the acute crisis has passed, follow up with a mental health professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker, who specializes in adolescent mental health.
Long-term support and treatment
A mental breakdown is often a sign of an underlying mental health condition, such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, or trauma. Long-term treatment will likely involve the following:
Comprehensive assessment
A thorough evaluation by a mental health professional to understand the underlying causes of the breakdown.
Therapy
Individual therapies (like CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused therapy) can help your teen develop coping skills, process difficult emotions, and address the root issues contributing to their distress.
Our outpatient program at Avery’s House provides a supportive and structured environment for teens to do this crucial work while maintaining their daily routines.
Medication
In some cases, medication is an important part of managing symptoms.
Family therapy
Addressing family dynamics and improving communication are essential aspects of your teen’s recovery.
A supportive environment
A stable, predictable, and loving home is crucial for your teen’s ongoing well-being.
You are not alone: Finding help for your family
Witnessing your teen endure a mental breakdown is one of the most challenging experiences a parent can face.
But you don’t have to navigate this alone. Seeking professional help for your teen is the most loving and responsible action you can take.
At Avery’s House, we understand the complexities of adolescent mental health crises.
Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to providing compassionate and effective care for teens struggling with a range of mental health challenges.
We offer specialized treatment for conditions like anxiety, depression, and trauma, which can often manifest in crisis situations.
If you’re worried about your teen and unsure where to turn, please reach out. Contact Avery’s House today to learn more about our programs and how we can help your family find a path toward healing and stability.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to seek resources and support.
