What is actually a "nervous breakdown", and how would you know if you, or someone else has had one?

Question

so then, a person does'nt come to a literal "breaking point" that would cause permanent irriplacable damage either huh?

Answer 1

That is not a clinical term, it's just something people say like "he cracked up."

I worked in mental health since 1987 and there has never been an official diagnosis called "nervous breakdown" as far as I know. I even have psychiatric classification books dating back to the 1950s and I'm pretty sure psychiatrists never used that term in an official capacity.

Answer 2

Inability to cope in the world. Overwhelmed by emotions to the point that they are significantly disrupting life. Severe anxiety, panic, and depression are the most common manifestations. Most more serious stuff like delusions, hallucinations, and loosing touch with reality would be considered a psychotic break.

Answer 3

In my judgment when your emotional and thinking processes reach a point where you really can't function in life than that is a nervous breakdown. ( My own non professional opinion.)

Maybe suddenly the emotions drastically intensify. Others times a very depressed person becomes an individual who believes they are invincible

Answer 4

This is not a medical term.
Your nerves really don't break down.
It is jargon for anxiety or panic attacks, extreme nervousness due to stress.
Stress results from an inability to cope with one's problems.
Coping is a skill that you learn by using several techniques.

http://themeaningisyou.com

Answer 5

Delusional such that they cannot locate in present time, emotional such that they are a harm to themself or others and cannot be reasoned with, unresponsive, is clearly not in reality or cannot control their emotions to the point of being safe. If you cannot reason intelligently, make sense in your speech, respond appropriately and be related to the present moment, you are having a problem that needs medical attention.