What is a “nervous breakdown”?

Have you ever heard anyone say, “I think I’m having a nervous breakdown”?

Or, maybe you’ve heard someone say something like, “You need to calm down before you have a nervous breakdown!”

Is there such a thing as a “nervous breakdown”?

The short answer: technically, no. But that doesn’t mean the experience isn’t real.

Allow me to explain.

The term “nervous breakdown,” also known as “mental breakdown,” is an old phrase that was used long ago to describe a period of extreme mental or emotional distress; it was applied to times when a person might experience a sudden onset of stress so great the person wasn’t able to perform normal activities of daily living. But neither term (“nervous breakdown” and “mental breakdown”) are a clinical term, and neither are a specific clinical diagnosis.

That doesn’t mean the experience isn’t real, and serious!

It is, on both counts.

Stress is a normal part of life, and in certain settings and times it can be positive. But to experience stress to such an excessive degree that you can’t function properly is not a healthy response to stress and usually points to more serious underlying issues such as anxiety, depression, or another mental illness. The phrase “nervous breakdown” was used in the past to describe an assortment of symptoms of mental health conditions such as acute stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.

There’s not a single cause for what people still sometimes think of as a “nervous breakdown,” there can be several things that can trigger an excess of stress, such as:

• • A sudden tragedy.
  • A major life change.
  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Constant stress in one or more environments (work, school, home, even church).
  • Persistent poor sleep patterns.
  • Chronic pain.
  • Financial problems.
  • Abuse.
  • Persistent relational distress.
  • Persistent threats to your well-being.
  • Experiencing several of these triggers at the same time.

A person may fear they’re experiencing a “nervous breakdown” because the extreme stress can generate psychological, physical, and behavioral symptoms which can include:

• • Anxiety or depression.
  • Extreme mood swings.
  • Withdrawal, isolating.
  • Panic attacks.
  • Difficulty concentrating.
  • PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
  • Extreme fatigue.
  • Changes in appetite.
  • Insomnia.
  • Digestive issues.
  • Hallucinations.
  • Paranoia.

If a person is experiencing such symptoms, they should see their physician or a mental health professional to get an accurate diagnosis so that an effective treatment can be prescribed. Treatment for such symptoms once diagnosed can be highly effective and can include psychotherapy, medication to treat biologically-rooted issues or help moderate symptoms while working with a therapist, and lifestyle changes.

Scotty