What exactly is a Nervous Breakdown?

Question

i hear this term, "nervous breakdown" all the time...how do you know if you're having one? what are the charachteristics of a nervous breakdown? nice answers only please. Thank You

Answer 1

A nervous breakdown, also known as a mental breakdown is a sudden, acute attack of mental illness such as depression or anxiety. Like sanity, the term is not recognized by the psychological community. In part, this is because the term has pejorative connotations, while this phenomenon is a normal and relatively common response to chronic stress. Often, the emerging illness is only described as a "breakdown" when the person becomes unable to function, at which point the disorder is advanced. Often, the supposed breakdown is a manifestation of career burnout.

Causes of breakdown include chronic and unresolved grief; unemployment; academic, occupational, and social stress; chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders, serious or chronic illness in a family member; divorce; death of a family member; pregnancy; deception from a loved one; and other sudden major life changes.

Whatever the cause, the message to the sufferer is that they now become aware of their limits of tolerance to stress, the usual outcome eventually is a more robust personality that interacts with stresses of life with more self care, although this may take time—sometimes years. Sometimes the sufferer develops strengths once not known to themselves which can also lead to a dramatic recovery.

Answer 2

In the Middle Ages, it was called melancholia. In the early 1900s, it was known as neurasthenia. From the 1930s to about 1970, it was known as a nervous breakdown. "Nervous breakdown" is a term that the public uses to characterize a range of mental illnesses, but generally it describes the experience of "snapping" under immense pressure, mental collapse or mental and physical exhaustion.
"Nervous breakdown" is not a clinical term. There is no psychiatric definition of a nervous breakdown, and it has nothing to do with nerves. "Nervous breakdown" is an inexact and unscientific term that is no longer used in psychiatry. Much as modern medicine breaks down diseases into more specific definitions (not just "cancer," but "stage 1 ovarian cancer"), modern psychiatry is breaking the term "nervous breakdown" into more precise diagnoses.

The diagnosis that most closely resembles what the public calls a nervous breakdown is major depression. Depressive episodes may be caused by genetic and biological factors and are often triggered by social and environmental circumstances. Depression is defined as the "loss of interest or pleasure in nearly all activities" and "sustained fatigue without physical exertion." Depression is characterized by a lack of energy and motivation along with feelings of guilt or hopelessness. It is often brought on by stressful situations, such as relationship difficulties, health problems, the aftermath of an accident or the death of a loved one.

The mental illness known as a "nervous breakdown" may also be something like panic attacks, schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder or acute stress disorder.

Surveys show that about one-third of Americans feel on the verge of a nervous breakdown at some point. Studies estimate that 50-million Americans suffer some form of mental illness in their lifetime.

Depression is treated through medication and psychiatric counseling.

Answer 3

In short, a breakdown is when you are no longer capable of functioning. You are drained of all resources. Your body and mind feel switched off and you are physically and mentally unable to do even the simplest of chores. You are completely burned out. Severe breakdowns are usually treated in hospital and can take years to fully recover from.

Though coming through a breakdown brings new strengths and a better more healthy way of living. You learn to recognize your limits and take care not to take on too much.

Before a breakdown you think your mind is invincible, then you realize that unless you take a break, your mind will do it for you.

A breakdown is not a passing feeling that it's all too much, most people experience this. It's when your mind and body says no.

Answer 4

Perhaps it's symbolized by that help I'm a mouse and that's a hungry serpent and I've managed to get myself locked into the same cage. So saying, panicky, anxious, and not recognizing the shapes going by may have a key to help unlock the door so not asking persistently and not believing there is a way out.
As well physical stressors- starvation, lowgrade infections, overwork or unrealistic demands in a family, inability to communicate acceptably to the persons causing stressors,because of fear or negligence, mental cruelty and abusive self images.
If you are worried for your self -Seek counselling--drugs and alcohol won't help..and can heighten the problem. Don't be embarrassed. One day in a mess I got on the same wrong bus three times in a row. I eventually asked for a transfer and got on the right bus home.

Answer 5

Nervous breakdown is when you lose all control of yourself and your emotions. Alot of times it is because of some trauma in your life that triggers the response. Most breakdowns can be treated with plenty of rest and meds. Some need more help by specialist or stay in hospital.

Answer 6

Its a serious state of depression resulting in the loss of memory, energy, causing disorientation, bad judgment, and a numbing effect in experiencing emotion. Not actually a physical nervous breakdown, doesn't actually break down your nervous system...directly.

Answer 7

It is a mental breakdown where the person becomes unable to do everyday things, it could come from anxiety or depression, grief or divorce.

Answer 8

NERVous breakdown is where everything caves in on you. And your nerves are gone and you cant function. Most people cant work.

Answer 9

It's when you break down and ask for help, because you've come to "the end of your rope".