nervous breakdown

[jupsie]

What is a nervous breakdown? Really, a true breakdown? Is there really a such thing?

[compnet]

It seems that it could be PTSD, too.  Among other conditions.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I think nervous breakdown is an umbrella term for many different mental states where you lose your grip and breakdown.

[jupsie]

Yes i guess you could call an episode as you explained above, a breakdown.

[johndoe880]

Ah, okay.  Well I hope everything is well with you.  For further reading, here's the Wikipedia article on the issue:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nervous_breakdown.

[jupsie]

Im sorry I didn't answer your question, you asked, why do i ask?
The answer is, I always wondered what the term really meant and after reading the opions of others I must say my feelings are mutual.
I was always curious about the meaning of a breakdown.

[jupsie]

Yes I agree with  you . I hear you, I hear your words.

[johndoe880]

There was a time in my life where I was arguing with a loved one and became extremely emotional.  I was crying very hard, I felt something like bubbles running up my legs, and I couldn't stand existence at that moment.  I pulled my hair, gave myself two black eyes, and started throwing myself into things.  That was the only time in my life that I was so uncomfortable that I actually hurt myself.  Shortly after I was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder.  I have my own personal doubts about whether or not that diagnosis is correct, but I think what I experienced could be seen as a nervous breakdown.

Why do you ask?

[gofio]

If you have one you'll be in no doubt. Best wishes, George

[ILADVOCATE]

Its an outdated term and one not used in psychiatry and if a person says that what they experienced often its a polite way of explaining they had a psychotic episode and had to go to the hospital and was away for that reason. That's just one example. Either way its not a term that has any clinical meaning.