# Depression Forums " Feed Depression Forums " Comments Feed Depression Forums " NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ! - Old Name , Same Game Comments Feed alternate alternate Skip to content * Join Our Community * BECOME A MEMBER Depression Forums Depression Forums * * Home * Forums * Mission & Vision * About * Blog * VISIT FORUM * BECOME A MEMBER * VISIT FORUM DF Archive NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ! - Old Name , Same Game Posted on January 15 , 2007 by Forum Admin NERVOUS BREAKDOWN ! - Old Name , Same Game Sunday , January 14 , 2007 – What ’ s in a name ? In the olden days they called it vapors , melancholia , neurasthenia , neuralgic disease , nervous prostration . Indeed , the medical profession originally thought that it was a disease of the peripheral nerves only later deciding that perhaps it was a disease of the mind . What ’ s the difference ? We all know one when we see one : it ’ s a crack - up . Today ’ s nomenclature includes any of a number of clinical diagnoses found in the DSM - IV ( psychiatric classification system ): psychotic break , schizophrenic episode , manic break , post - traumatic stress disorder , panic attack and ( most commonly ) major depressive episode . Although the mental health profession doesn ’ t use the term at all , the ordinary folk call it a nervous breakdown . What Is It ? A nervous breakdown , officially a symptom of one of the psychiatric diagnoses listed above , includes some sort of disintegration of personality usually temporary . It ’ s as if the “ circuits are overloaded . ” When associated with stress , it has been described as a “ snapping under extreme pressure . ” ( Interestingly , surveys show that one third of Americans have felt on the verge of a nervous breakdown at some point in their lives . ) A breakdown can manifest as an inability to function ( to fulfill obligations at work or home or school ) . It may involve severe weakness , exhaustion or even catatonic posturing ( inability to move ) . In breakdowns of the depressive type , there may be uncontrollable crying , loss of pleasure in all activities , dramatic weight loss or weight gain , sleep disruption or extreme sleepiness , confusion , disorientation , extreme feelings of worthlessness , guilt and despair . In breakdowns involving psychosis , there will be a loss of contact with reality that can take many forms : . having visions , hearing voices or feeling sensations that have no basis in fact ( i . e . feeling like there is something crawling on the skin when there isn ’ t ; hearing someone say something when there is no one present ) . obsessing about doing something harmful ( i . e . in post - partum psychosis , having thoughts of harming one ’ s baby ) . feelings of being victimized or persecuted by others ( when this isn ’ t happening ) . feelings of extreme guilt or excessive grandiosity or unwarranted intense jealousy . strange speech patterns ( not comprehensible because it is strangely organized and presented ) . strange behaviours ( bizarre behaviour such as odd body movements or disrobing in public ) In breakdowns that are actually bi - polar ( manic ) episodes , there may be racy behaviour , lack of sleep with high energy , very poor judgment resulting in excessive spending and socially inappropriate behaviours , increased talkativeness , and exaggerated self - esteem . In breakdowns that are manifestations of some sort of anxiety disorder , there may be panic attacks and incapacitating fears that affect daytime performance ( perhaps interfering with ability to work , study or run a home ) and disrupting night time sleep patterns . The common factor in all types of nervous breakdowns is that the sufferer steps out of his / her normal , functional lifestyle and into a place of emotional chaos that erodes normal functioning . Who Gets A Nervous Breakdown ? Some people have a nervous breakdown after exposure to extreme or unremitting overwhelming stress . They may have been “ normal ” beforehand . For example , a young man may come back from battle with a nervous breakdown ( post - traumatic stress disorder ) , whereas he entered the battle “ normal . ” Similarly , a woman may have functioned normally until she was violently assaulted . Or , a woman may have been perfectly normal until she gave birth , after which she experienced some type of post - partum depression . Theoretically , anybody could have a nervous breakdown . Some people have breakdowns that were “ waiting to happen . ” These are disintegrations that result from genetically based disorders such as schizophrenia or bi - polar depression . The genetic sensitivity , combined with life stress , can result in a “ breakdown . ” Breakdowns that are episodes of major depression also stem from a combination of inborn and environmental factors ( for example , having a family history of depression and then experiencing serious loss , frustration or failure in one ’ s own life ) . How Are Nervous Breakdowns Treated ? Appropriate types of psychotropic medications , therapeutic interventions and rest are used to treat breakdowns . Normally people are restored to previous levels of functioning ( or even better , depending on the type of breakdown ); in some cases of mental illness , healthy functioning is never completely restored . In the vast majority of breakdowns , however , proper treatment leads to recovery and prevention of further collapse . For example , an episode of major depression (“ a nervous breakdown ”) , can bring a person to psychotherapy for the first time . Psychotherapy ( which may or may not require the addition of medication , depending on the severity of symptoms ) , can help the person come “ back to himself ” and it can also help him learn powerful ways of monitoring stress levels in the future , so as to prevent further breakdowns . In addition , psychotherapy may help him to achieve a higher level of functioning ( mentally , emotionally and spiritually ) than he ever had before . In other words , a nervous breakdown can actually be a gift ! Indeed , many people have experienced a breakdown as a pivotal turning point in their lives , a situation that forced them to take stock , dismantle harmful mental , physical and emotional habits and revamp their lifestyles . Like many crises , the nervous breakdown can be an opportunity for growth . Nonetheless , most of us would prefer not to have one . Preventing Nervous Breakdowns In many cases , a total collapse can be prevented by responding promptly to early symptoms . Don ’ t wait until you crack up , seek professional psychological help when feeling very stressed or when mood is dropping and not picking up quickly . Self - management can include taking a break from work , taking alternative remedies and treatments ( see your naturopath , herbalist or homeopath ); exercising more , allowing more time for sleep , increasing actual fun and laughter , doing some deep relaxation or meditation daily , improving food choices and de - stressing your lifestyle wherever possible . Take care of yourself ! Not all breakdowns can be prevented , but many can . Increase your chance of staying physically and mentally healthy by being proactive in your approach . SOURCE :- Sarah Chana Radcliffe , M . Ed . , C . Psych . Assoc . http://w.sarahchanaradcliffe.com/artnervous.htm http://casa-12steps.blogspot.com Tweet This entry was posted in DF Archive and tagged Announcements . Forum Admin PTSD Patients Have Diminished Pain Response The Mind as Medicine – Guided imagery can boost the body ’ s healing powers Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment . Advertisement [ INS : : INS ] @ DepressionForum ' s Likes on Twitter Advertisement [ INS : : INS ] Join Our Forums ! Struggling with mental health or depression ? In need of peer - to - peer support ? Want to contribute to the community ? Sign In or Register ! Members Currently Online Support Us Monthly donations are the lifeblood of Depressionforums.org . 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