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The term nervous breakdown isn’t used very often anymore, so you may not be familiar with the impact of this type of crisis. For example, what causes episodes like these, how difficult are they to get through, and how long does a nervous breakdown last? 

What Is a Nervous Breakdown?

Nervous breakdown isn’t a medical term or a clinical diagnosis. You won’t find it listed in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), and you’re not likely to encounter many treatment professionals who use the term in their official capacity.

This doesn’t mean that a nervous breakdown isn’t a real condition, nor does it imply that a person who goes through such an experience can’t be helped. A nervous breakdown can be a sign of a serious mental health concern, and anyone who goes through one should be evaluated by a qualified treatment provider.

Nervous Breakdown (Signs + Symptoms)

But what, exactly, is a nervous breakdown?

It is an informal, outdated term that describes a period during which a person becomes so overwhelmed that they are physically and psychologically unable to function as normal. Today, people often use another informal descriptor – mental health crisis – to describe this experience.

Since nervous breakdowns aren’t covered in the DSM-5, there are no standard, universally agreed-upon criteria. And one person’s experience can vary widely from someone else’s while still falling under this umbrella term.

Having said that, symptoms and behaviors that are typically associated with nervous breakdowns include:

• Physical exhaustion
• Little to no motivation
• Stomach aches, headaches, muscle tension, and other types of discomfort that don’t have a clear medical cause
• Panic
• Inability to concentrate or focus
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• Forgetfulness and other memory problems
• General sense of feeling overwhelmed and/or unable to keep up
• Failing to pay bills, keep appointments, and otherwise take care of your responsibilities
• Significant changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• Deep sadness or despair
• Sudden, dramatic mood changes
• Ignoring your appearance, grooming, and/or hygiene
• Dissociation, or briefly feeling as though you have become detached from your mind, body, and/or surroundings
• Using alcohol or other drugs to temporarily numb yourself
• Anhedonia, which is a diminished capacity for experiencing joy or feeling pleasure
• Crushing sense of hopelessness or helplessness
• Thoughts of self-harm or suicide

If you have been experiencing symptoms like these, or you know someone who has, please seek help. Though the nature of a nervous breakdown can make it feel like there is no escape, this is not true. 

When you get the treatment that addresses the root causes of your struggles, you can regain control of your thoughts and actions and start living a much healthier and more hopeful life.

How Long Does a Nervous Breakdown Last?

Given the potential intensity and disruptiveness of the symptoms we listed in the previous section, it is understandable to want to know, how long does a nervous breakdown last? Is this type of experience over in a few minutes (like most panic attacks), or can it persist for weeks (like a major depressive episode)?

There is no standard timeframe for a nervous breakdown or other acute mental health crisis. The duration of such an experience can vary depending on a range of personal factors, such as:

• The type and severity of the symptoms that you developed
• What prompted the onset of these symptoms
• The quality of your coping skills and personal support network
• If you have been abusing alcohol or other substances
• If you are taking medication for a diagnosed mental health condition

If you receive effective professional treatment at the outset of a nervous breakdown (which typically means inpatient care), you can often achieve stabilization in a few days. In the absence of proper care, it is difficult to predict how long a nervous breakdown could last.

What Causes a Nervous Breakdown?

It’s rare for a mental health crisis to have a single, easily identifiable cause. In most cases, nervous breakdowns result from a combination of internal factors and external influences.

Often (but by no means always), people who have nervous breakdowns have been struggling with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, or another mental health condition. 

The environmental and behavioral risk factors for a nervous breakdown can include:

• A significant loss, such as the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the loss of a job
• A major life change, such as getting married, buying a house, having a child, moving to a new town, or graduating from college
• An overwhelming amount of stress or pressure, which can occur at work, in school, or in the context of a relationship
• Traumatic experiences such as being attacked, abused, or assaulted
• Using alcohol or other drugs to self-medicate
• Not developing effective stress management and conflict resolution skills
• Not having a functional personal support network
• Failing to seek help when you first begin to develop concerning mental health symptoms 
• Neglecting your physical health (such as eating unhealthy food and not getting an ample amount of exercise and sleep)

Treatment Options for a Nervous Breakdown 

An appropriate response to a nervous breakdown often involves medication, therapy, and lifestyle changes.

Many of the mental health disorders that can contribute to a breakdown can be alleviated with prescription medication. Depending on the cause of your psychological distress, medication may be a short-term solution to help you achieve stabilization, or part of a long-term strategy to help you manage your symptoms.

Therapy can help you address the causes of your mental health challenges and learn how to manage symptoms that aren’t eased via medication alone. Therapy can also help you replace maladaptive thought and behavior patterns with healthier and more productive ways of thinking and acting. 

During therapy, you may also learn about holistic practices such as mindfulness and meditation, which can be essential elements of an effective self-care strategy.

From a lifestyle change perspective, you may need to learn how to manage your schedule and delegate responsibilities, maintain a nutritious diet plan, communicate more effectively, recognize when you may be on the precipice of a crisis, and know when to reach out for additional help.

Find Mental Health Treatment in Nashville

Arbor Wellness is a trusted provider of comprehensive, personalized care for adults whose lives have been disrupted by anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health concerns. We also offer dual diagnosis programming for patients whose struggles with mental illness are accompanied by co-occurring addictions.

When you choose our mental health treatment center in Nashville, Tennessee, you will have the opportunity to work in active collaboration with a team of highly skilled professionals. We will help you identify the factors that contributed to your mental health crisis, and then develop a customized plan to address the concerns that have been preventing you from living a healthier and more satisfying life.

To learn more about our programs and services, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.