Feeling stressed out? Finding a way to manage your stress can be essential to prevent a nervous breakdown. A nervous breakdown is another way to refer to a mental health crisis. Stress is often a symptom of a mental health condition, but this isn’t always the case. The cause may also be related to your environment. Stressful college courses, relationship issues and plenty of other factors can contribute to your stress levels. Identifying your symptoms can be a crucial step as you work to find a solution.

Key symptoms of an oncoming stress-related mental health crisis

• Persistent fatigue — Do you feel tired all the time, even after getting a good night’s sleep? Fatigue that doesn’t seem to go away is a common sign of stress. Stress can take a significant physical toll on your body, leaving you feeling exhausted or drained. If you are constantly tired and stressed out, it is important to find a solution. These symptoms can lead to a period of burnout where you feel unable to get any work done. If you’re a college student, burnout can have a negative impact on your academic achievements. To avoid further issues, finding a solution to your stress can be a great way to get your energy levels back to normal.
• Difficulty concentrating — Having a hard time focusing in class or while doing coursework is a common stress-related symptom that can lead to a mental health crisis. When in crisis, you may experience especially intense symptoms. By intervening now and addressing your symptoms before they get worse, you can work to prevent any crises in the future.
• Physical discomfort — When you feel physical pain or discomfort, you might assume that the cause is something solely physical, such as an injury. However, physical discomfort can also be caused by mental health symptoms. In the same way, stress can drain your physical energy; its impact on your body can also involve chronic discomfort. People who are frequently anxious or stressed often experience persistent headaches and stomachaches. Muscle tension is another source of discomfort that can be related to stress. If you are experiencing physical symptoms like these without a clear source, addressing your mental health may be the best way to find physical relief.
• Loss of interest — Have your favorite hobbies and activities started to seem less interesting? A sudden loss of interest can be a result of stress. If your stress is related to work or school responsibilities, you may feel guilty for doing anything else. When you engage in your hobbies, guilty feelings can arise because you’re not doing something perceived as more productive. Over time, this can lead to negative associations with your favorite activities. In other cases, a loss of pleasure can be indicative of persistent low moods, which may be a sign of depression. Left unaddressed, a loss of interest or pleasure can increase your risk of a mental health crisis in the future. If you feel like your symptoms are getting worse as a result of your stress, it may be time to seek help.

Should you take a leave of absence to manage your symptoms?

If you are experiencing a lot of stress, it might be helpful to take a leave of absence. A leave of absence is a period of time where you are not enrolled in any classes but may still be considered an “active” student by your university. Generally, you can take a leave of absence for a semester, then continue working toward your degree in the following semester.

Students take these leaves for many reasons, from studying abroad to spending time with family. A leave of absence can also give you the time and breathing room you need to focus on your mental health. If you are considering taking a leave of absence, you can talk to your academic adviser and others at your university about the next steps you should take. During your leave, it can be helpful to seek professional mental health treatment to address your symptoms.

Lightfully U can help you manage your stress

Ready to get treatment for your stress-related symptoms? Lightfully U can help you address your symptoms and avoid a mental health crisis. A framework based on evidence, driven by data and centered on treating the whole person, informs everything we do. With our help, you can find new solutions to your symptoms and start living stress-free.

Change is possible. When you’re ready to take the first step, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward a stress-free you.