Mental Health.. Have you ever had a nervous breakdown? (126)

i took care of my dad for along time after my mother passed away...he had a really hard time dealing with it...all the ''out siders'' viewed me as this guy that still ''lives with'' his dad...and comeing from a family that would never ''air there dirty laundry''...i let them think what they wanted to think...but, my dad went threw some really hard times...and so did i while i was with him...if i did'nt have a nervous break down...i know i've came close.......its funny how people view ''mental'' problems...{as if its still the same tabo subject from the dark ages}...when in fact...there are alot of ''physical'' problems that can attribute to ones mental state...ie. lack of a good diet while dealing with heavy loads of stress, or sadness...it can trigger certain chemicals in the brain, that can make it all spiral out of control...during those times i would get bad panick attacks...i had to stop one of my fun pass times {smoking herb}...that only made them worse....i dont want to give the impression that i'm a nut job...lol....because i'm not....its just that from what i've seen...there is an alarming amount of people that dont, understand ,or lack any compation for those who are going threw hard times...such hard times that they spiral out of control....depression is still viewed {in some circles} as that age old boogie man called ''madness''...alot of the time ,all that is needed is some tenderness and compassion...although sometimes, a little persciption chemicals can do wonders to get the brains natural chemicals back on track.....