Mental breakdown
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+ | "“[[The Yellow Wallpaper]],” which Gilman herself called “a description of a case of [[mental breakdown|nervous breakdown]],” recounts in the first person the experiences of a woman who is evidently suffering from a severe [[postpartum psychosis]]."--''[[The Madwoman in the Attic]]'' (1979) by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar | ||
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- | :'''''nervous attack''' redirects here. See also [[panic attack]].'' | + | '''Mental breakdown''' (also known as a '''nervous breakdown''') is a general term for an acute, time-limited [[psychiatric disorder]] that manifests primarily as severe [[stress (psychological)|stress]]-induced [[clinical depression|depression]], [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]], and/or [[Dissociation (psychology)|dissociation]] in a previously functional individual, to the extent that they are no longer able to function on a day-to-day basis until the disorder is resolved. A nervous breakdown is defined by its temporary nature, and often closely tied to psychological [[Burnout (psychology)|burnout]], [[Karōshi|severe overwork]], [[sleep deprivation]], and similar [[stressors]], which may combine to temporarily overwhelm an individual with otherwise sound mental functions. |
- | '''Mental breakdown''' (also known as '''nervous breakdown''') is a non-medical term used to describe a sudden, acute attack of [[mental illness]] such as [[clinical depression|depression]] or [[anxiety disorder|anxiety]]. When used in common social discourse, the term often has pejorative connotations. | + | |
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- | Specific cases are usually described as a "breakdown" only after a person becomes unable to function in day-to-day life due to mental illness. At that point the person's condition is advanced, and seeking professional aid is likely advisable. | + | |
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- | Like the term “[[sanity]],” the terms "nervous breakdown" and "mental breakdown" have no medical definition and are not used in a clinical sense. However, the medical or personal problems precipitating a sudden breakdown may well benefit from professional medical or psychological treatment. | + | |
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- | A mental breakdown is not the same as a [[panic attack]], though mental breakdowns can trigger panic. | + | |
== Causes == | == Causes == | ||
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== See also == | == See also == | ||
+ | :'''''nervous attack''' redirects here. See also [[panic attack]].'' | ||
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* [[Adjustment disorder]] | * [[Adjustment disorder]] | ||
* [[Causes of psychiatric disorder]] | * [[Causes of psychiatric disorder]] |
Current revision
"“The Yellow Wallpaper,” which Gilman herself called “a description of a case of nervous breakdown,” recounts in the first person the experiences of a woman who is evidently suffering from a severe postpartum psychosis."--The Madwoman in the Attic (1979) by Sandra Gilbert and Susan Gubar |
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Mental breakdown (also known as a nervous breakdown) is a general term for an acute, time-limited psychiatric disorder that manifests primarily as severe stress-induced depression, anxiety, and/or dissociation in a previously functional individual, to the extent that they are no longer able to function on a day-to-day basis until the disorder is resolved. A nervous breakdown is defined by its temporary nature, and often closely tied to psychological burnout, severe overwork, sleep deprivation, and similar stressors, which may combine to temporarily overwhelm an individual with otherwise sound mental functions.
Causes
Causes of breakdown might include:
- chronic and unresolved grief
- unemployment
- academic problems
- career burnout
- social stress
- post-war trauma
- chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders
- serious or chronic illness of a family member
- divorce
- death of a family member
- pregnancy
- deception by a loved one.
The sudden, acute onset of the following mental illnesses might be classified as breakdowns:
- clinical depression
- bipolar disorder
- psychosis
- dissociation
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- severe stress
- anxiety.
See also
- nervous attack redirects here. See also panic attack.
- Adjustment disorder
- Causes of psychiatric disorder
- Causes of mental disorders
- Grieving
- Mental health
- Metanoia
- Neurasthenia
- Panic attack
- Psychosis
- Psychotic break
- Self-medication
In fiction