Nervous Breakdown

[bednobs]

what does the above mean to you? How would you define a nervous breakdown?

[Sammy48]

Totally unable to deal with day to day living. Becoming reclusive, constant crying and feeling worthless.

[Retrochic]

There is no such thing. It was a term coined before 'mental health' was used. people were 'bad with their nerves' rather than suffering from mental health issues. I think the nearest definition for me would be suffering from extreme anxiety and or depression.

[Psybbo]

Heck Sammy, I'm there already!

[Bathsheba]

so, Retrochic....what is clinical depression, in your opinion?

[Sammy48]

Would you like to share my box of tissues, Psybbo ?

[EDDIE51]

Clinically depressed would be a more modern term. I have not heard 'nervous breakdown used for many years. Used to be a common phase 30 years or more ago. Psychotic episode would be another name for what used to be called a nervous breakdown.

[Retrochic]

Bathsheba no idea about clinical depression. I can't have an opinion on something I have never experienced or studied. I just know my mother suffered multiple 'nervous breakdowns' for which she was prescribed a cocktails of drugs in the seventies. She was described s 'bad with her nerves'. Nerves have nothing to do with it obviously.

[Prudie]

I'd describe it as a particular tipping point or precise event after which daily function becomes impossible and someone else would probably have to seek medical help on your behalf. Much more than a general severe anxiety or depression.
That is what it means to me, rightly or wrongly.

[nailit]

I ended up getting sectioned to a psychiatric hospital a couple of years ago after been unable to function normally and the only way out (that I could see at the time) was death.
I find Retrochics observation that //There is no such thing.// shortsighted.
Its something that I never want to experience again.

[maggiebee]

That sounds more like clinical depression Sammy which I have suffered from in the past. I have not heard the expression nervous breakdown for many years but feel it is a general term used for a variety of mental health problems and people may suffer from.

[Mamyalynne]

To be fair I think Retrochic was referring to the words used really rather than the condition.

I think 'Breakdown' describes it very well, there is nowhere to go , nothing to help- as you say Nailit the end seems the only way.

People can go along time appearing to function normally with terrible turmoil inside then everything collapses in on them.

[TWR]

Can not coupe, can not think straight, depressed, wound up for the least little thing, can not put your mind on whatever your doing, Little things getting on your nerves, can not be bothered to do anything , can not be bothered with people not even family, will not except help.

[Sqad]

Nervous breakdown was a sort of " umbrella" term for any psychiatric illness but in the majority of cases a depressive illness, endogenous or exogenous.
It was a common term used post WW2 until the 80's when psychiatry became more sophisticated with the introduction of largactil, anti- depressives and ECT.

It is a laymean's term.

[ummmm]

My dad had a breakdown and he just completely withdrew. He just sat there staring into space. No sign of any emotions at all.

This happened after his beloved mother died.

It only happened the one time.

[jno]

"breakdown" seems to suggest a one-off event (however long it may last) rather than a continuing condition. The term's not in medical use now but I think it still means something, as most posters here have given much the same answer.

[ummmm]

Yes....a one of event in my dads case which is different to depression, which tends to be on going.

[Mosaic]

My reaction to the phrase is coloured by my parents use of it - to denote someone who was weak, pathetic, soft. This was their reaction to any form of mental illness. I've never liked the use of the term. I've suffered from depression on and off for forty years, since the age of twelve, on occasions to the point of being signed off work. Have I had 'nervous breakdowns'? Probably. But to me the phrase is like finding your car vandalised, and it being called 'bad parking'.

[jno]

perhaps that's because of the way your parents used the term, Mosaic? I don't think most people use it to impute any blame to the sufferer.

[Retrochic]

Having thought more about this question it is really very interesting. I think 'Nervous Breakdown' could be when your coping mechanisms stop completely, due to Trauma or some chronic problem 'coming to a head'. This is as opposed to a depression or anxiety attack brought on by a chemical imbalance or ongoing mental health issue.