What Is a Nervous Breakdown?

"Nervous breakdown" is not a medical term, but describes a mental health crisis that prevents someone from functioning in daily life. This is usually a result of depression or anxiety.

“Nervous breakdown” is not a medical term, but it describes a mental health crisis and is a general term that refers to a person overwhelmed by anxiety, worry, or stress.

A nervous breakdown may involve both mental/emotional and physical symptoms. 

Mental/emotional symptoms of a nervous breakdown may include:

• Isolation or withdrawal from family and friends or usual daily activities
• Avoiding social functions
• Calling in sick to work
• Inability to concentrate   
• Mood changes 
• Depression
• Feeling burned out
• Emotional outbursts
• Anger
• Fear
• Helplessness
• Crying
• Not eating properly
• Not taking care of personal hygiene
• Depersonalization, which is not feeling like one’s normal self, or feeling detached from situations
• Hallucinations  
• Paranoia   
• Thoughts of self-harm: seek immediate medical attention if this occurs

Physical symptoms of a nervous breakdown may include:

• Insomnia  
• Exhaustion 
• Frequent illnesses
• Headaches 
• Dizzy spells
• Muscle pain in the jaw, neck, or back due to muscle tension
• Stomach cramps and irregular bowel movements
• Fast heartbeat (palpitations)
• Tightness across the chest or a lump in the throat, feeling like it is difficult to breathe (panic attack)
• Cold sweats or hot flashes

A nervous breakdown may be triggered by both specific events that cause extreme stress or as a product of a gradual build-up of stress to a point where a person is no longer able to cope.

Triggers for a nervous breakdown may include:

• Death of a loved one
• Death of a pet
• Work pressures
• Relationship problems
• Divorce
• Financial difficulties
• Unemployment
• Recent illness or injury

Certain factors may cause some people to be more susceptible to having a nervous breakdown, such as: 

• A personal or family history of anxiety disorders
• A stressful job
• Severe medical conditions
• Lack of sleep 
• Inability to manage stress effectively

A nervous breakdown and other anxiety disorders may be diagnosed with a psychological evaluation.

Treatment for a nervous breakdown can include lifestyle changes, medications, and counseling, depending on the patient’s situation and diagnosis. 

Lifestyle changes that can help patients better cope with stress include:

• Healthy diet
• Regular exercise
• Practicing good sleep habits
• Avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine
• Avoiding mood-altering substances like alcohol and other recreational drugs
• Practicing stress reduction methods such as relaxation, mediation, yoga, and breathing exercises
• Talking to a mental health counselor 

In some cases, a nervous breakdown may be a sign of depression, an anxiety disorder, or other mental illness, in which case medications and therapy may be indicated. Medications may include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or antipsychotic medications.