How do I know if I'm having a mental breakdown?

Had a nervous breakdown, will that ruin my baby?

• This morning on being driven to work by boyfriend, I had a serious self destructive nervous breakdown. Right now, Im really worried about my baby and my life. Being in the car with the boyfriend, I was eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, he asked for some, like he always does, eating my food, I got upset and said "take it." I wasn't feeling well anyhow and he got upset and said he didn't want it...I felt guilty and told him to eat...we went back and forth. and unfortunately i got upset and threw the bowl and spoon out of the car window, blacked out and started screaming and shouting, trying to get out of the car while it was moving, and hitting him. He started crying and didn't know what to do. He called my job to let them know im going to the hospital. I managed to calm down after an hour because I didnt want to be admitted to a crazy ward. I think that my baby is stressed too and im out of control. I don't know how to handle all this pressure. I feel like im at the end of my rope, I guess. there are alot of things and people that have been bothering me. A bully at work, happens to be a new store manager, writing me up, talking down to me, and targeting me for lateness. My baby's father happens to be my ex boyfriend that Ive given another chance to after us fighting about his family being racist, my anger and frustration, and him cheating once. We broke up for over a year. The pregnancy was unplanned, we argued during the 2nd month of it on whether or not to get an abortion. I felt it was no need for me to get one just because he didn't want a baby. It was a nightmare for about a month between his family and him. Now his family is supportive, things are fine with that. Though boyfriend isn't working and just going to school. Hes waiting on to hear back when to start work with him father. We live together now and are getting alot of help from his family. I just feel like I don't have the proper people around to help me emotionally. I hate the job I have with that manager, she stresses me out with the bullying, though Im still working there for the benefits, which are great, though I don't know how long I can deal with the managers targeting me to quit. I hate to think that I have to apply for medicaid and quit because of them. The job is getting to be uncomfortable, requiring me to stand on my feet for 7 hours or more. Ive met with human resources explaining in detail of what's going on in the store, and how i need my hours to be lower but still work full time for benefits. Im nervous of losing my benefits, that's why I haven't quit. If I wasn't pregnant, I would have quit a long time ago and found something else. Although now I have a belly, im worried no one will hire me, another burden. Im just emotionally wrecked and dread going to work with this woman. Ive asked for a transfer to a better store with better management, they said since ive been with the company for only 7 months, they only transfer people who've been with the company brand for a year. Im at my wits end, and my FMLA benefits don't begin until a week after the baby is due. What the hell am I supposed to do? Plus im in school full time, working 7 days a week. Im sad and my family lives in another state. Im tired of feeling like I have no options for growth.

• Answer:

  Hang in there hon. Things will be ok. Just try to relax and calm down. baby will be just fine. Yes, its true that stress isn't good for the baby, but your not going to lose the baby or anything because you got stressed and had a break down, and fought with your boyfriend. i have anxiety, and i got into my fair share of nervous break downs, and yelling matches when i was pregnant. i got so worked up, i would cramp sometimes, and it scared me thinking something was wrong. but baby was always fine, once i calmed down and rested. it will be ok. just lay down, drink some water and try to rest. baby will be just fine. you need to try to eliminate some of the stress from your life. i know its hard. try to make an effort not to fight with your boyfriend if you can. walk away when you feel like fighting. i know emotions and hormones are all over the place during pregnancy, so it can be hard. but try the best you can. as for work. try to work as long as you can. but if it gets so uncomfortable where you can't stand it anymore, you may just have to cut down the hours or quit. hang in there.Things will get better. good luck to you. Stay strong!