You might hear the term “nervous breakdown” thrown around and have an idea about what it means. But what does it correspond to in the picture of mental health? And is it an appropriate expression to use? In reality, a nervous breakdown is not a medical diagnosis. Neither does it tell you anything about the symptoms and mental state leading up to the break. Because of how vague the term is, it’s hard to assess what caused the episode and what the individual needs in order to recover. Yet, a nervous breakdown clearly has to do with a poor mental state and feelings of overwhelm. Therefore, it brings the question of whether a nervous breakdown refers to a panic attack.
Let’s explore the history and mental health breakdown of the term and what it looks like as a mental state.
What Is a Nervous Breakdown?
The term “nervous breakdown” gained popularity in the early 1900s but was more used by patients than as an official diagnosis of an illness. Over the years, it has been used to refer to all kinds of symptoms. However, people used to be commonly diagnosed as having “poor nerves” or “nerve syndrome.” These are the most commonly identified symptoms of anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma, or emotional distress. Without a formal diagnosis, a nervous breakdown came to signify any of these disorders.
Today, a nervous breakdown is not used to refer to a mental disorder like anxiety or depression but rather an experience of a mental crisis. Notably, nervous breakdown and mental breakdown are used interchangeably. During a mental breakdown, the individual experiences symptoms like:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Overwhelm
- Exhaustion
- Racing thoughts
- Trouble sleeping
- Intrusive thoughts
- Hopelessness
- Slow mental processing
- Inability to function
A mental breakdown feels like you are at the edge of your mental health, about to tip over into a place of unwellness. In more severe cases, the person can actually lose their grasp on reality and experience symptoms of mental disorder. Overall, a mental breakdown signifies that the individual can’t function as normal.
What causes a nervous breakdown? It can be caused for many reasons. Often, it’s a combination of factors that trigger a mental breakdown, like extreme stress, pressing demands, and already-poor mental health.
What Are the Signs of a Nervous Breakdown?
You might be wondering, how long does a nervous breakdown last? Because the term is vague, it gives no reference to a timeline or the process leading up to the break. In reality, a nervous breakdown doesn’t have a set time attached to it. It all depends on the person, their condition, and contributing life factors, like responsibilities, relationships, environment, finances, and profession.
There are common signs that may indicate a person is heading towards a mental breakdown. Some signs of a nervous breakdown include:
- They are overwhelmed with their responsibilities
- They struggle with stress management
- They struggle with emotional regulation
- They don’t get enough sleep or nutrients
- They experience stress that is out of the ordinary, maybe due to an unexpected situation
- They don’t have a strong support network
- They lack effective coping mechanisms to eliminate stress and anxiety
- They have a state of poor mental health
Any of these factors can be a major contributor to whether an individual experiences a mental break.
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamIs a Nervous Breakdown the Same Thing as a Panic Attack?
No, nervous breakdowns and panic attacks aren’t the same, although they can overlap. To explain, a panic attack is sometimes a symptom of mental illness. Individuals with anxiety disorders like panic disorder often experience panic attacks because of their illness. A nervous breakdown may feel similar to a panic attack. Yet, it is treated more as an anxiety attack because it’s brought on by stress.
Similarly, people sometimes confuse a psychotic break vs. a nervous breakdown. A psychotic break is different and refers to symptoms of psychosis and extreme mental impairment out of touch with reality.
How Are Nervous Breakdowns Treated?
Know that a mental breakdown isn’t a medical term nor a diagnosis of an illness from a doctor. However, nervous breakdowns place people at their breaking point and indicate severe symptoms of poor mental health. The person may face symptoms of anxiety, depression, or panic disorders, all of which can be treated.
We treat nervous breakdowns at our recovery facilities much like we treat mental disorders. We believe in a combination of traditional and holistic treatment options that lead to an overall improved state of wellness. As such, our programming for mental breakdowns includes counseling, behavioral therapy, and optional medication management. Some individuals benefit from psychiatric medication management for their symptoms, which a licensed doctor diagnoses. Each client who enters treatment receives a different care plan based on their needs. Yet, overarching programming goals include evidence-based treatments for comprehensive care.
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Check Your CoverageMental Health Treatment at Aliya Health Group
Your mental health is something to be prized and maintained. As such, our mental health professionals focus their efforts on helping clients improve their mental health. Sometimes, this looks like healing from their co-occurring issues, like substance abuse and addiction. It looks like digging deeper to unpack the roots of pain and trauma that contribute to your symptoms. Because holistic health is one of our core values, we help clients achieve mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.
If you’re ready to gain control over mental health conditions affecting your life, reach out to enter treatment at our mental health crisis center. Our team of expert health professionals, doctors, therapists, and counselors will walk with you from mental strife to healing. If you struggle with nervous breakdowns, we can help you achieve resilience and independence to overcome your symptoms.
