# What, exactly, is a 'Nervous Breakdown'?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 21, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614 "2001-11-21T17:15:20Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Riboflavin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riboflavin)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/1 "2001-11-21T17:15:20Z")
While I’ve heard people talk about ‘X had a nervous breakdown’ and ‘I’m 5 minutes from having a nervous breakdown’, I really have no idea what one is. Is there some sort of specific psychological phenomenon the phrase talks about, or is it just one of those vague phrases that seems to mean something?
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### Author:  [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/2 "2001-11-21T17:30:31Z")
I do not think it is a scientific term, it’s losely applied to people when they have serious emotional problems especially if they occur seddenly.
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### Author:  [@Jocke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jocke)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/3 "2001-11-21T17:33:35Z")
Well I did a quick google search and came up with this
> **[What is a 'nervous breakdown'?](https://health.howstuffworks.com/mental-health/mental-disorders/question653.htm)**
>
> "Nervous breakdown" can mean many things. We often hear this term when someone is under a great deal of stress. What exactly does it mean? Learn about this mental condition in this article.
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### Author:  [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/4 "2001-11-21T17:40:02Z")
From [this site](http://www.mhsource.com/expert/exp1062899a.html) comes the following explanation:
> [@](#):
>
> Though not a formal, precisely defined psychiatric or medical diagnosis, “nervous breakdown” is a shorthand term used by the public to indicate a serious, sudden loss of mental function, ability to cope, or ability to tell reality from fantasy.
This [other site](http://www.harthosp.org/HealthInfo/scripts/scr0141.htm) had this to add:
> [@](#):
>
> The term “nervous breakdown” is not used by health care professionals today. It is too vague to be of much help in treating a particular patient. Instead, doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other professionals use a uniform system for diagnosing mental disorders.
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### Author:  [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/5 "2001-11-21T17:49:35Z")
It’s usually when someone under extreme mental pressure/anguish/distress, etc etc…finally reaches his or her breaking point. It’s like, you just reach the point of no return-you can’t function in that setting anymore, and you sort of explode. (With me, it involved screaming uncontrollably on the way home from the mall one night).
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### Author:  [@Podkayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Podkayne)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/6 "2001-11-21T19:00:30Z")
I’ve heard the term ‘psychotic break’ . . . is that a more precise term for a subset of so-called nervous breakdowns?
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### Author:  [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/7 "2001-11-21T21:24:01Z")
I have a handy tool, a Websters dictionary:
: an attack of mental or emotional disorder especially when of sufficient severity to require hospitalization
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [November 21, 2001, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/8 "2001-11-21T22:38:42Z")
The Doctor (Dr. Mercotan) speaks: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=80162](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=80162)
Nervous breakdowns are not usually psychotic episodes.
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### Author:  [@Frank\_O.Pinion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_O.Pinion)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/9 "2001-11-22T01:01:57Z")
It’s basically when you’ve been under a lot of stress and have been holding it back so you could keep going about with your normal activities, then you just can’t take it anymore and you just flip out or break down crying.
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### Author:  [@WortMeWorry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WortMeWorry)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/10 "2001-11-22T01:17:25Z")
My wife defines it as such. A loss of one’s emotions, due to Extreme anxiety or depression. she also said there is No diagnosis as a Nervous Breakdown. Or as one of the doctors on her floor would say, " The patient is clearly GDC",that’s G **D** \*Crazy, to the layman. (It sounds better with an accent.)
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### Author:  [@bbeaty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bbeaty)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/11 "2001-11-22T02:30:40Z")
From what I’ve read, if someone starts acting
temporarily weird, but then later has no memory of
the episode, that’s a “psychotic break.” I think
I’ve seen this happen before. If so, then it’s more
like “multiple personality disorder”, where a person
you know will suddenly have a very different personality
(not necessarily crazy), and then when they go back to
normal they don’t remember anything that happened
during that time and might even deny their earlier
actions and words. Very creepy to be around.
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/12 "2001-11-22T03:29:50Z")
If someone has no memory of an episode, that’s amnesia, not psychosis. If, however, during the episode he lost contact with reality (which is the definition of “psychosis”) then he had a psychotic break, but that’s not what is commonly known as a “nervous breakdown,” which is not a medical term.
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### Author:  [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/13 "2001-11-22T05:04:50Z")
“Nervous breakdown” has no analog in the Diagnostic Manual of Mental Disorders-IV, but this layperson’s terminology most closely approximates major depression.
If you’ve never seen major depression–and I’m talking the deep, deep end–the intensity is not to be believed.
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### Author:  [@Bossk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bossk)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/14 "2001-11-22T09:11:31Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Guinastasia \*
> \*\*It’s usually when someone under extreme mental pressure/anguish/distress, etc etc…finally reaches his or her breaking point. It’s like, you just reach the point of no return-you can’t function in that setting anymore, and you sort of explode. (With me, it involved screaming uncontrollably on the way home from the mall one night). \*\*
Guiny has come the closest to describing it accurately.
First, there is an extremely scary emotional lashing out at everyone and everything.
This is followed by many months of _extremely_ severe depression/guilt, and possible agoraphobia and/or social anxiety.
A regimen of drugs is often prescribed, but it can be beaten without them.
But people _do_ get better. They are same people you’ve worked with, broken bread with, played with.
Of course, there’s always the possibility that they are pods, replacing every loved one the afflicted knows.
Perhaps I’ve said too much.
Time heals all, so they say.
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### Author:  [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/15 "2001-11-22T14:39:17Z")
The symptoms of depression include:
1. profoundly sad or irritable mood
2. pronounced changes in sleep, appetite, and energy
3. difficulty thinking, concentrating, and remembering
4. physical slowing or agitation
5. lack of interest in or pleasure from activities that were once enjoyed
6. feelings of guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness, and emptiness
7. recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
8. persistent physical symptoms that do not respond to treatment, such as headaches, digestive disorders, and chronic pain
Also, some individuals are acutely agitated, angry, or evidence explosive temperaments. The conditions of anxiety and depression share some common symptoms.
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### Author:  [@barbitu8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/barbitu8)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/16 "2001-11-22T18:21:28Z")
DSM IV:
> [@](#):
>
> Major Depressive Episode
> In the same 2 weeks, the patient has had 5 or more of the following symptoms, which are a definite change from usual functioning. Either depressed mood or decreased interest or pleasure must be one of the five.
> -Mood. For most of nearly every day, the patient reports depressed mood or appears depressed to others.
> -Interests. For most of nearly every day, interest or pleasure is markedly decreased in nearly all activities (noted by the patient or by others).
> -Eating and weight. Although not dieting, there is a marked loss or gain of weight (such as five percent in one month) or appetite is markedly decreased or increased nearly every day.
> -Sleep. Nearly every day the patient sleeps excessively or not enough.
> -Motor activity. Nearly every day others can see that the patient’s activity is agitated or retarded.
> -Fatigue. Nearly every day there is fatigue or loss of energy.
> -Self-worth. Nearly every day the patient feels worthless or inappropriately guilty. These feelings are not just about being sick; they may be delusional.
> -Concentration. Noted by the patient or by others, nearly every day the patient is indecisive or has trouble thinking or concentrating.
> -Death. The patient has had repeated thoughts about death (other than the fear of dying), suicide (with or without a plan) or has made a suicide attempt.
> These symptoms cause clinically important distress or impair work, social or personal functioning.
> They don’t fulfill criteria for Mixed Episode (page 168).
> This disorder is not directly caused by a general medical condition or the use of substances, including prescription medications.
> Unless the symptoms are severe (defined as severely impaired functioning, severe preoccupation with worthlessness, ideas of suicide, delusions or hallucinations or psychomotor retardation), the episode has not begun within two months of the loss of a loved one.
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### Author:  [@Dirty\_Earthworm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dirty_Earthworm)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/17 "2001-11-22T20:39:37Z")
Mine consisted of literally uncontrollable crying (I couldn’t stop, even though I knew there was no logical reason for me to be doing so), “swinging” back and forth between depression and anger, and mild psychosis. Now granted, IANA shrink, but that’s what I am calling my episode. I had just lost my fiancee, my apartment, my would-be step-son, and my job all within 24 hours, and my whole world changed. Then I proceeded to slowly yet systematically break down, bit by bit.
I’m calling it a nervous breakdown. Makes sense to me, as defined by the other, more intelligent and better-informed dopers out there.
-Syko
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### Author:  [@MarkF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MarkF)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2001, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/18 "2001-11-22T22:19:34Z")
(it has taken me a long time to write this post.)
I am not sure what to do about this feeling.
This is my first post on SD.
I am not sure why I felt I could help or get help from here.
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### Author:  [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2001, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/19 "2001-11-23T04:14:20Z")
Mark, you can certainly get help and support from the members of this board. As an initial step, you need to see an M.D. (assuming you haven’t already) who can make an accurate diagnosis (for instance, ruling out a thyroid problem or other underlying cause of depressive symptoms) and get you started on the right therapy.
“Nervous breakdown” is a vague term that deserves to join other outmoded concepts in the medical literature and popular usage. My favorite in this regard is “brain fever”. Characters in 19th century fiction, such as the Sherlock Holmes stories, were always getting “brain fever” and having long, tumultuous recoveries from what sounded most like severe anxiety attacks. Which is what “nervous breakdown” most commonly implies.
Depression in its various forms doesn’t typically involve a “nervous breakdown”, i.e. sudden loss of control. More often it’s a long, gradual darkening of outlook (which may be speeded up by a death in the family, severe physical illness or other stress).
It sucks royally, but there are some damn good treatments available. I’d hate to think of what it must have been like going through a major depression without recourse to good pharmacology and trained professional counselors.
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### Author:  [@tsunamisurfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tsunamisurfer)
#### Post date: [November 23, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-exactly-is-a-nervous-breakdown/94614/20 "2001-11-23T04:34:05Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Jackmannii \*
> **Depression in its various forms doesn’t typically involve a “nervous breakdown”, i.e. sudden loss of control. More often it’s a long, gradual darkening of outlook (which may be speeded up by a death in the family, severe physical illness or other stress).**
Typically, yes, though not always.
Given the right precipitating event, depression can strike individuals like a hurricane and knock them to their knees. There also can be significant overlap in the symptoms of depression and anxiety, as the two are often experienced at the same time.
BTW, SirSykoSexxy, “mild psychosis” is not one of the classic symptoms of depression, though brief psychotic breaks can and do occur in a statistical handful.
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