What's the difference between a nervous breakdown & an anxiety/panic attack?

Answer 1

The difference between a nervous breakdown and a anxiety/panic attack is that ...... a nervous breakdown is when you are depressed,thinking harmful thoughts to ure self and others,screaming,constance crying,not sleeping.........a anxiety \ panic attack is when u be come so overload u cant breaath,fainting,passing out ,shacking and crying

Answer 2

A nervous breakdown is a sort of disintegration of ones personality either because of stress or depression or a combination. It is as if the person is on circuit overload and cannot handle it any more. It is usually temporary and definitely affects ones ability to function normally. Sometimes, if it is the depressive type, the person is literally unable to move and get out of bed. If the "breakdown" involves psychosis then the person can lose touch with reality and hear voices, etc.

These breakdowns usually build up over a period of time and are acute. Though bad the person will usually get over it with treatment.

The common thing among all types of breakdowns is that it takes the person out of his / her functioning life and makes him / her unable to function. the person is then put into an emotional chaos.

A person who has panic attacks because of an anxiety disorder can have a breakdown that includes panic attacks, paralyzing fear, disturbed sleep, but a breakdown would affect any normal life functioning.

The panic attacks that some people have do not necessarily mean a breakdown if the person is able to function normally most of the time even though these panic attacks are paralyzing at the time.

The medical profession does not use the term nervous breakdown even though most of us do. They need to be more specific in the diagnosis - mainly this is for insurance companies.

i hope i was able to answer some of your questions.

Answer 3

I read somewhere online that" they"don't accept "nervous breakdown" as a psychological term these days . I think they break it apart and call it a combination of things. But if you've ever had one...you'd call it a NERVOUS BREAKDOWN...because that's what it feels like. I think that panic attacks and high anxiety ..if not gotten under control..can turn into a nervous breakdown...eventually. I could be wrong...but it feels like that's what happened to me.Do you remember being scared so much you were shaking and your teeth chattering? That's what it feels like...only you don't shake all the time or your teeth chatter all the time. It usually comes from going thru trauma..especially several traumas. It also messes with your head because you don't know what's going on. That's just my opinion....based on my experiences. Also...this happens with some people...if they find out something they've believed for a long time was true...was a lie...the shock can "do you in". (and I'm not talkin' about Santa Claus)

Answer 4

A nervous breakdown is a severe crisis which has been gathering throughout the years, normally it will leave sequels and you should handle it through psychiatric therapy.
An anxiety attack, or panic attack, is just that, you are very anxious or scared because of a sepecific situation, not that it will affect you forever, you just have to detect what it is that scares you so much and face it.

Answer 5

an anxiety or panic attack lasts a relatively short period of time (probably less than an hour)

a nervous breakdown is a catch-all term meaning the person has multiple problems physical - mental - emotional that last for days or weeks, where the person is not able to function in a normal manner (work or home)

Answer 6

You can have a nervous breakdown and not have an anxiety attack. you can have a panic attack and not have a nervous breakdown.

Anxiety attacks are part physical, but nervous breakdowns are mainly mental...

Answer 7

you black out in an anxiety attack.......you get really depressed and helpless in a nervous breakdown

Answer 8

severe depression, anxiety, exhaustion, hallucinations-- visual and auditory,