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Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Coping
Helping Others
A nervous breakdown refers to a period of intense and severe emotional symptoms like panic, anxiety, and distress. You may feel like you’re having a nervous breakdown when you reach a point where you cannot perform routine tasks, such as going to work or school or caring for yourself or others.
However, the term “nervous breakdown” and the related term “mental breakdown” are outdated. A nervous breakdown is actually not an official diagnosis, but you may use it to describe a situation in which yourmental health symptomsare overwhelming. This type of situation may be a sign of an underlying mental health disorder or a passing episode. Recognizing serious symptoms can help you get the treatment you need.
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“Nervous Breakdown” Is an Old TermThe term “nervous breakdown” originated during the 1700s, when scientists believed our nervous system caused mental health symptoms.This was a way to keep people out of asylums and to maintain hope for a physical cure.They believed that what is known today as a mental health crisis resulted from a malfunctioning nervous system, hence the name “nervous breakdown.” People still use the term “nervous breakdown,” but it is not an accurate medical term.
“Nervous Breakdown” Is an Old Term
The term “nervous breakdown” originated during the 1700s, when scientists believed our nervous system caused mental health symptoms.This was a way to keep people out of asylums and to maintain hope for a physical cure.They believed that what is known today as a mental health crisis resulted from a malfunctioning nervous system, hence the name “nervous breakdown.” People still use the term “nervous breakdown,” but it is not an accurate medical term.
The term “nervous breakdown” originated during the 1700s, when scientists believed our nervous system caused mental health symptoms.This was a way to keep people out of asylums and to maintain hope for a physical cure.
They believed that what is known today as a mental health crisis resulted from a malfunctioning nervous system, hence the name “nervous breakdown.” People still use the term “nervous breakdown,” but it is not an accurate medical term.
Signs of a Nervous Breakdown
A nervous breakdown occurs when a person is unable to managestressin their life.
Reaching this “breaking” point may cause symptoms such as:
Some people may use the term “nervous breakdown” as a catch-all term to describe a period of severe mental distress. In this way, it may be describing experiences such aspanic attacks,depression,mood swings, or asense of doom.
Symptoms of a nervous breakdown may be temporary, lasting just a few hours, but they can also continue for a few weeks or even several months.In some instances, the state can last years.
Nervous Breakdown vs. BurnoutSimilar to a nervous breakdown,burnoutis not a medical condition. Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms of burnout include:ExhaustionFatigueCynicism about your job or occupationReduced professional efficacyAccording to WHO, the term “burnout” should be used exclusively for occupation-related stress and not for how your mental state affects other areas of your life.
Nervous Breakdown vs. Burnout
Similar to a nervous breakdown,burnoutis not a medical condition. Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms of burnout include:ExhaustionFatigueCynicism about your job or occupationReduced professional efficacyAccording to WHO, the term “burnout” should be used exclusively for occupation-related stress and not for how your mental state affects other areas of your life.
Similar to a nervous breakdown,burnoutis not a medical condition. Burnout is an “occupational phenomenon,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Symptoms of burnout include:
According to WHO, the term “burnout” should be used exclusively for occupation-related stress and not for how your mental state affects other areas of your life.
What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?
Risk factors for a nervous breakdown include factors that cause physical stress (such as injury, illness, pregnancy, cold, or exhaustion) or psychological stress (such as grief, worry, loneliness, or relationships).
The following is a list of the most common sources of stress in order, starting with the most frequent cause:
About one in five adults in the United States experiences a mental illness yearly.Additionally, only 47.2% of adults with mental illness in the United States receive treatment.Untreated or inadequately treated mental illness may lead to a “flare” or crisis of symptoms, which may be referred to as a “nervous breakdown.”
Illnesses that affect the brain may also bring about a nervous breakdown. Evidence suggests, for instance, thatCOVID-19can lead to brain inflammation and blood vessel damage leading to short- and long-term neurological symptoms.This may put people at risk for depression, psychosis, or emotional distress.
How to Treat a Nervous Breakdown
Treating a mental breakdown involves learning strategies to cope with the stress or other issues that triggered the breakdown.
The first step is to try and identify the sources of the stress and find ways to deal with these issues.
To prevent stress, anxiety, or other emotions from overwhelming you, use these strategies:
If your symptoms put you or other people in imminent danger, you may be admitted to the hospital for observation and individualized treatment, which may include:
When Should I See My Doctor?If you believe that you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a nervous breakdown, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
When Should I See My Doctor?
If you believe that you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of a nervous breakdown, contact theSubstance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helplineat800-662-4357for information on support and treatment facilities in your area. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
How to Help Someone Else Going Through a Nervous Breakdown
If someone you care about is going through a nervous breakdown, here are some strategies to keep in mind:
Summary
“Nervous breakdown” is an outdated term, not a diagnosable condition. It refers to a severe mental health crisis involving panic, anxiety, mental distress, isolation, and other symptoms. A nervous breakdown may occur due to any number of mental illnesses or stressful life events, and it is vital to seek help so you can stay safe and receive a correct diagnosis and treatment.
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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