nervous breakdown

[Connemmara]

How does one know if they have a nervous breakdown - what are the symptoms. My friend has lost through death 2 sons altho has not been diagnosed by doctors etc thinks she has had a nervous breakdown.

[Bobbisox]

Oh thats so sad Conn, I suppose it's one of those things because it isn't visible it's hard to diagnose, very sad for your friend

[hollie1586]

very sad indeed! bit of info here! http://www.profession...own_panic_attack.html

[RATTER15]

So that link is pretty much saying there is no such disorder as a nervous breakdown? its actually clinical depression?

[Dee Sa]

get her to talk it over with her GP he should then get in touch with the mental health nurses who will start the ball rolling to see a physciatrist and medication to get you thru, they may suggest a day centre for support, you could offer to go with her, she isnt going to get better without help.

[Sqad]

No idea .

Nervous breakdown is a term used by non medical people to suggest one or more of a host of psychiatric disorders.

[Connemmara]

Sqad - I think you have got it one - no one knows the exact causes so they use that "expression" - unfortunately - she is in America and I am in Ireland so I am no good to her and she is very bad in seeing to herself re doctors, psychiatrists etc generally help. I know personally she is bad as as she has reacted very badly in America that police were called to calm her down but I dont know what happened after that - perhaps the medical people were involved but it was up to her to carry it through.

[Dee Sa]

trouble with the US is that it costs money to be ill, we might knock the NHS but we should be grateful we've got it.When I replied I thought the lady was in Uk.

[emmie]

more commonly known as Clinical depression, and the answer is you don't, and i do know. There are no symptoms, not like having measles, and it can be triggered by anything, but bereavement is a huge factor, especially if you are already vulnerable by way of suffering from low self esteem, depression. I could write a book on the subject, which is very sad really.

[roxie_09]

there are subtle changes with depression, one becomes more isolated, eating habits change ie start eating too much or very little, fatigue and lacking motivation. It's so sad xx

[system]

There are symptoms.

[LoftyLottie]

To me a nervous breakdown would indicate that ones body and mind have reached the point that a person can't cope any more and goes into meltdown. I don't think depression equates to a nervous breakdown.

[wolf63]

It is sort of the same thing as bankruptcy - you are overwhelmed with debts (negative thoughts and emotions) and you have little or no savings (ability to cope) left.

It is impossible to fully comprehend unless you have been there. But talking to your friend and just listening may help.

[LoftyLottie]

I suffer from clinical depression/anxiety. In no way have I ever had a 'breakdown'.

My mother had a complete breakdown just after she had me (oh dear!) For six months I was cared for by my grandparents.

[LoftyLottie]

Would someone actually 'think' they had had a breakdown. At that point I would think it would be others that were more aware than the person themselves who wouldn't be thinking logically about whether they were having a breakdown or not.

I therefore cannot understand how Connemmara's friend thinks she has had a breakdown.

[emmie]

to my mind, not in the way a physical illness has symptoms, if you have a cold, flu, you are likely to get a runny nose, tickly cough, but with this it can come out of the blue. If someone you care about dies, its shock, despair, anger and so forth, but calling it a nervous breakdown is a catch all by the medical profession, there are so many types of mental illness, i have witnessed it first hand, and in my own regard, that also includes a number of people i have met with serious mental health problems along the way.
A relative went undiagnosed for years with the mental illness he has. Suggest that she see someone sooner than later, a good listening doctor, who can put her onto to a counsellor, and take it from there. If you are not in UK then thats a tough one, as here at least you will see someone without having to pay, unless someone here goes private. She should see someone though, before the problem escalates.

[cupid04]

I was told that my dad had a nervous breakdown after my mother died.
Never found out this until my adulthood [as I was brought up in the era of
children are to be seen and not heard.]All I can remember is me and my
younger sister were sent away to stay with some distant relatives.

[system]

Both my father and my uncle had nervous breakdowns....both were sectioned.

[LoftyLottie]

My mother was given electric shock treatment. I think that affected her for the rest of her life!!

[emmie]

as i was, and the relative,

[shaneystar2]

It's hard to define .
I've had what my doctor called a "sort of "nervous breakdown recently .I hadn't had a bereavement but a very traumatic episode in my life .After which I couldn't get my act together and broke out in all sorts of minor complaints that people rarely die from along with a general feeling of uselessness and malaise .
It's probably a huge depressive thing ,in view of what has happened ,the loss of the sons etc
Talking these feelings over with someone usually helps and she really should be seeing a doctor and /or a bereavement counsellor .