What is a nervous breakdown and how does it happen?

Question

Are they hereditary? My grandmother had a nervous breakdown when she was in her thirties and I am fast approaching my thirties. I just want to know what they are. I do know that my mom said my grandmother was never the same after she had it.

Answer 1

My nervous breakdown happened when I was 25. I gave birth to twins, I just found out my husband was sleeping with one of my friends, I had no job, my grandma died, and all of this happened in one month's time. It can happen to anyone at anytime when things are extremely stressful.

Answer 2

It is said that that there really is no condition called a "nervous breakdown" in psychiatric language.

It is a term often used to describe an emotional breakdown. The other type of breakdown people have is a "psychotic breakdown" (and some people describe psychotic breakdowns as "nervous breakdowns" too).

If your grandmother had an "emotional breakdown" she probably would have eventually come back to pretty much being herself after a while. People can get emotionally and physically exhausted and be unable to move or even talk for a while. This type of breakdown isn't, to the best of my understanding, related to anything other than circumstances.

If she had a psychotic breakdown (where her thoughts were affected by a mental illness like schizophrenia) she may be less likely to ever return to her old self. Stress can trigger a psychotic breakdown, but there is a link when it comes to family history.

My friend's sister had what they called a "nervous breakdown", but what it was was a psychotic breakdown. She was hearing voices and had other signs associated with schizophrenia.

You should find out whether your grandmother "just" had an emotional breakdown or whether there was psychosis. Don't forget, though, if she had something going on in her life (inner or otherwise) that drove her to exhaustion there's a chance she never got that resolved. Maybe she had an initial exhaustion breakdown but then just returned to an unhappy existence. People don't know what people have wearing away at their happiness.

Schizophrenia usually shows up earlier than people's thirties, so I'm guessing your grandmother didn't have that.

Answer 3

There is no real clinical term called "nervous breakdown." I work in mental health and I've never seen a psychiatrist diagnose "nervous breakdown." It may have been a real term at one time, but I have copies of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders dating back to 1952 and it isn't listed in any of those books. If it was a real term, it was before 1952. Currently, it is a slang term for what happens when someone has severe psychiatric problems and is unable to cope with day to day life.

Answer 4

"Nervous breakdown" is a generic term, not really used by medical professionals to describe a condition. Usually it is one or more of two things: depression and or anxiety.

Both of these conditions can be cause by both environmental or hereditary factors.

It is a good idea to keep an eye on yourself because you may be genetically disposed. There are a lot of books that you can read that should give you insight about these conditions.

Should you think or even suspect you may be suffering from clinical depression or anxiety, visit your physician as soon as possible. Both conditions can lead to suidicdal thoughts or attempts to commit suicide.

For some reason people are embarrassed to admit to being depressed or anxious. It is NOT your fault any more than catching a cold. It is not a sign of weakness of character. Be HONEST with your physician and yourself. If you have suicidal thoughts contact your physician immediately.

If you have either of these conditions, don't be afraid to take medications as prescribed by your physician. Don't be afraid to STAY ON YOUR MEDS. Many sufferers feel like they should try and get off their meds and handle their life themselves. This can be catastrophic, both conditions are insidious. The problem is often you don't realize you are suffering depression until you are suicidal. Many depressed persons who commit suicide do so after coming off their meds without the approval of their physician. Work very closely and honestly with your physician.

Good luck with this. It's a tough condition to have.

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
What is a nervous breakdown and how does it happen?
Are they hereditary? My grandmother had a nervous breakdown when she was in her thirties and I am fast approaching my thirties. I just want to know what they are. I do know that my mom said my grandmother was never the same after she had it.

Answer 6

"Nervous breakdown" may be a misnomer, though. What "breaks
down" is not so much the nerves and neurons, but the adrenal glands. A more
accurate term would be the "exhaustion phase of the general adaption
syndrome," but obviously that is quite a mouthful. Excessive STRESS is what
can cause "nervous breakdowns." Stress includes the obvious things like exam
pressures, trouble with parents or teachers, peer pressure, but also includes
things like a significant personal achievement, making a major purchase,
changes in routines of life (sleeping, eating habits), moving to a different
part of town - even the change in seasons and temperatures. It can come from
almost anything which causes a disturbance in normal living. Stress
triggers a number of physiological changes collectively termed "GENERAL
ADAPTATION SYNDROME." There are three phases: 1) alarm, 2) resistance, and
3) exhaustion. These phases are controlled and regulated by the adrenal
glands. Your adrenal glands lie just above your kidneys and are composed of
inner and outer parts. The inner part is called the adrenal medulla, and it
secretes the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. These hormones help your
body deal with stressful situations. If you were alone and met a gang in some
back alley, your adrenal glands would flood your body with the hormones, your
blood pressure, heart rate, sweat production would shoot way high! Your body
is in a "FIGHT or FLIGHT" mode. (Just thinking about getting in such a
situation may have caused some stress!) Well, whenever your body deals with
smaller stresses, the same hormones are released. The outer part of the
adrenal glands is the adrenal cortex. They also produce hormones, but
slightly different ones: glucocorticoids and mineralcorticoids.
Glucocorticoids can increase blood sugar levels profoundly, while
mineralcorticoids affect mineral excretion. These hormones are largely
responsible for helping the body deal with prolonged stress. They help
provide extra energy and blood supply. For instance, if you had a whole week
of finals, your adrenal cortex would work overtime as you burn the midnight
oil studying. These instances are the "resistance" phase of the general
adaptation syndrome.



Now, STRESS can accumulate to a point when it is impossible to cope. You feel
like pulling your hair, giving up, screaming, etc. Or, you are having a
"nervous breakdown." What is happened is you have reached the "exhaustion"
stage of the general adaptation syndrome. Essentially, the adrenal cortex has
depleted stores of glucocorticoids, and your cells cannot get the extra sugar
and nutrients they need to cope. Furthermore, minerals like potassium are
excreted, causing an unbalanced mineral status. These causes place tremendous
loads on the heart, blood vessels, immune system, brain, and virtually every
other part of your body. Exhaustion can be a collapse of one specific organ
or of the entire body. Psychological stress has even been linked to cancer,
diabetes, autoimmune diseases, asthma, menstrual problems, PMS, arthritis,
colitis, ulcers, heart disease, depression, and depression. Signs of
impending exhaustion: fatigue, irritation, loss of appetite or insatiable
appetite, chronic high blood pressure, thoughts of giving up, loss of interest
in what use to provide pleasure. For a few tips as to how to avoid "nervous
breakdowns." Stress management can include exercise, stretching, meditation,
relaxation, biofeedback, massage, taking a vacation, getting enough sleep,
talking to a good listener, eating well-balanced meals, etc. In other words,
try to get away from stress regularly - set apart times in the day to refresh.
Taking some vitamins and minerals may help, too. Potassium is lost to a great
degree during stressful situations, so eat an extra banana or take a potassium
tablet. Vitamin C is known to support the adrenal glands, so eat lots of
fruits and vegetables, or take a C tablet. Good nutrition is very important,
so if you live off fast food, it may do some good to add some fruits, nuts,
juices, whole grain cereals, and a multiple vitamin/mineral supplement to your
diet.

Answer 7

Exhaustion from the stress of losing finances, love, or addictions.