Mental breakdown

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Mental breakdown (also known as nervous breakdown or snapping) is a non-medical term used to describe a sudden, acute attack of mental illness such as depression or anxiety.

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Like the term "sanity," the terms "nervous breakdown" and "mental breakdown" do not have any medical definition and are not used in a clinical sense. A mental breakdown is not the same as a panic attack, though mental breakdowns can trigger panic.

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.^[1] The person's condition is then advanced, and seeking professional aid is advisable.

Contents 1 Causes 2 Aftermath 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Causes

Causes of breakdown might include:

• bullying
• chronic and unresolved grief
• chronic or newly discovered illness/ailment
• unemployment
• academic problems
• career burnout
• social stress
• unresolved sexual identity crisis
• post-war trauma
• chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders
• serious or chronic illness of a family member
• divorce
• death of a family member
• pregnancy
• a traumatic, violent, or near-death experience
• deception by a loved one.

The sudden, acute onset of the following mental illnesses might be classified as breakdowns:

• clinical depression
• bipolar disorder
• schizophrenia
• schizo affective disorder
• psychosis
• dissociation
• post-traumatic stress disorder
• severe stress
• anxiety

[edit] Aftermath

It has been said that many people who suffer from a mental breakdown will most likely be fully recovered after the illness, as little signs seem to appear on most people.

[edit] See also

• Causes of psychiatric disorder

[edit] References

1. ^ Hallowell, Edward M & John Ratey. 2005. Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder. Ballentine Books. ISBN 0345442318

• Mayo Clinic Mental Breakdown
• Mental Breakdown Info