Winona Ryder supposedly had one, as did Mariah Carey, Amanda Bynes, and a slew of other celebrities. But what actually is a ‘nervous breakdown?’
It isn’t a phrase that you’ll find written on a contemporary’s medical chart. In the past, it was used as a catchall diagnosis that could mean someone had one of any number of psychiatric disorders. The common thread is that whatever was going on rendered them unable to function as they usually would, at least for a period of time.
Modern mental health professionals no longer use the vague phrase ‘nervous breakdown,’ and their goal is to identify the specific issue (such as major depression, panic disorder, or schizophrenia, among other possibilities) that caused what they might refer to as an ’emotional health crisis,’ ‘mental health crisis,’ or ‘mental breakdown,’ says Heather Senior Monroe, MSW, LCSW, a social worker and director of program development at Newport Academy, a mental health treatment center.
‘Some experts classify a mental breakdown as a type of anxiety disorder,’ she explains. ‘What’s important to understand is that such a breakdown is usually an indicator of underlying mental health problems that need to be addressed.’
‘A mental breakdown is a period of mental illness during which intense feelings of depression, stress, or anxiety result in an inability to function in daily life,’ Monroe adds. ‘The person suffering is emotionally overwhelmed. They might feel that life is hopeless, that they are ‘going crazy,’ and that they will never be able to get back to normal.’
Here, some indicators that warrant a call for help. If you are concerned about your teen daughter’s mental health, speak to their GP or healthcare provider, straight away.
Common Signs of Nervous Breakdowns
1. You have a mental health issue that’s not being well-managed
‘Anyone can experience a mental health crisis, but it is more likely when underlying mental health disorders are present,’ says Monroe. So if your daughter already has depression, anxiety, or another problem, take it seriously. See your provider regularly for check-ins, and be sure to raise a flag if you feel like their current treatment isn’t working.
2. You’re abusing alcohol or drugs (perhaps prescription ones)
Substance abuse and mental breakdowns often go hand-in-hand. You’ll need professional help to address addiction concerns and get their mental and physical health back on track. Seek out a medical professional if you need help.
3. Their life has been extra stressful lately
Maybe you are going through a divorce, got fired, or lost a loved one. None of these things necessarily mean that they are headed for a breakdown, but they do raise the risk.
If you feel like stress is pushing you or your loved one to the brink—perhaps you’re so worried that you’re hardly eating or sleeping—get professional help sooner rather than later. ‘In these cases, even someone who does not usually suffer from anxiety or depression can become overwhelmed to the point that they experience a mental health crisis,’ says Monroe.
4. They are having panic attacks or are having suicidal ideation
‘Panic attacks can be a warning sign, especially if they happen frequently within a short period of time. Mental breakdowns are often preceded by ongoing feelings of doom and worry, perhaps even suicidal thoughts, or by what’s known as ‘hyperarousal,’—feeling tense and overstimulated as a result of the nervous system going into ‘fight or flight’ mode,’ says Monroe.
5. They feel numb
Some people on the cusp of a breakdown report not feeling much of anything. Your daughter might stop caring how she looks, lose interest in activities she used to enjoy, and isolate herself from family and friends. These are all signs of depression and possibly a major mental health crisis.
6. Normal life feels unmanageable
‘Even small everyday tasks begin to feel like too much to cope with, and social situations seem overwhelming,’ says Monroe. ‘This feeling can come on suddenly or build up slowly over time, thanks to an ‘ongoing buildup of worry and stress.’
Since most mental breakdowns are stress-related, techniques such as meditation, exercise, and yoga can certainly help. But if you’re truly headed into crisis mode, don’t try to fix it yourself or hope it will ‘just pass,’ warns Monroe.
‘A trained mental health professional can help you identify the underlying conditions or the triggering event, and work with you to create an appropriate treatment plan.’
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Article originally published on Women’s Health