organs. This second part is not under our immediate control but – and this is of paramount importance in understanding ‘nerves’ – it responds to our moods.

It is said that the stomach is the most sympathetic organ in the body. It weeps when other organs are sick. It is certainly the focal point of depression.

Brightness and diversion help to hold the interest and support the flagging spirit.

Your particular pattern has probably declared itself by now, so you can be comforted by the thought that you have experienced the worst.

A day of deep despair can be followed by a day of hope, and just when you think you are at your worst you can turn the corner to recovery. Your emotions are so variable in breakdown, try not to be too impressed by your unhappy moods, and never be completely discouraged.

You will find that if you can do this, the waves of panic will settle into being a hot, sore feeling in the pit of your stomach.

incapacity known as nervous breakdown.

true acceptance is the keystone to your recovery,

it. If asked to pinpoint the beginning of nervous breakdown, I would say that it is at the moment when a sensitized person becomes afraid of the sensations produced by severe stress and so places himself in a cycle of fear – adrenalin – fear.