In short
A nervous breakdown is an everyday term for a period when stress or mental health problems become so overwhelming that a person can no longer function as usual. It is not a diagnosis. Underneath there is usually something that can be named and treated, such as depression, an anxiety disorder or a reaction to severe stress. Get professional help if symptoms are there most of the time, last more than 2 weeks or are affecting daily life.
On this page
What is a nervous breakdown?
A nervous breakdown describes a time in someone's life when stress or mental health problems become physically and emotionally overwhelming. It is also called a mental breakdown or a mental health crisis.1
It is not a medical diagnosis, and you will not find it in the manuals doctors use. It is a description of what it feels like when a person can no longer keep going as normal. Most people feel stress and anxiety at times, at a level they can manage. When those feelings are there all the time, or feel unmanageable, that is what people mean by a breakdown.1
Signs of a nervous breakdown
Symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the cause. You may:1
- Have symptoms of anxiety or depression that you cannot manage
- Withdraw from your usual activities, and miss appointments or social events
- Feel ashamed, hopeless or worthless
- Feel angry or irritable
- Feel paranoid or on edge
- See or hear things that are not there
Physical symptoms are common too:1
- Trouble falling or staying asleep
- Chest pain, or a racing heart
- Sweating
- Changes in appetite
People going through this often cannot function normally, and some have thoughts of harming themselves.1
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What causes it?
A breakdown can follow a single event that causes extreme stress, such as a divorce, losing a job or a serious diagnosis in the family. It can also come from stress that builds over a long time until things feel overwhelming.1 Other contributors include:1
- A mental health condition such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder
- Financial or work stress
- Hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause
- A family history of mental health conditions
- A lack of social support
What is usually going on underneath
Because nervous breakdown is not a diagnosis, the useful question is what lies behind it. That is what a doctor will try to work out. Common answers include:
- Depression or an anxiety disorder. One in five Australians aged 16 to 85 had a mental disorder in the previous 12 months, and anxiety disorders were the most common group, at 17.2 per cent.2
- A reaction to a major stress. When the reaction to a stressful event is stronger than expected and gets in the way of daily life, doctors call it an adjustment disorder. It is common, accounting for 11 to 18 per cent of patients in general practice studies, and the symptoms overlap with those of depression and anxiety.3 See our guides to stress and burnout.
- Panic attacks. See what is a panic attack?
- Post-traumatic stress. See PTSD symptoms.
Naming the problem matters because the treatments differ, and because all of these can be treated.
Getting help
It is important to get professional help if your symptoms:1
- Are constant, or there most of the time
- Have lasted more than 2 weeks
- Are affecting your daily life
A GP is a good place to start. They will ask about your symptoms, your daily life, your mental wellbeing and your safety, and may refer you to a psychologist or psychiatrist. A mental health treatment plan can cover part of the cost of up to 10 sessions of treatment a year.1
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause.1
- Psychological therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy helps you manage stress and difficult emotions. Therapy may also include relaxation training and mindfulness.1
- Medicines. Antidepressant medicines can be used to treat underlying depression or anxiety. Fast-acting calming medicines are sometimes used for severe anxiety, and only for short periods.1
- Time and a lighter load. Time away from the source of stress, where that is possible, and practical help with the problems behind it.
Looking after yourself
Learning how to cope with stress and anxiety can help prevent a breakdown, and supports recovery from one:1
- Keep regular sleep habits
- Exercise regularly, with other people if you can
- Eat well, and cut back on caffeine and soft drinks
- Limit or avoid alcohol and other drugs
- Spend time with family and friends
When it can't wait
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts and is in immediate danger, call 000. To talk to someone now, call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.1
See also high cortisol symptoms, how to calm anxiety and why am I always tired?
Next step: talk to a doctor
Answer a few quick questions and you’ll get an email about your eligibility. A consultation doesn’t guarantee any particular treatment.
References
- healthdirect. Nervous breakdown.
- Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020–2022.
- Casey P. Adjustment disorder: epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment. CNS Drugs. 2009;23(11):927-38.
This guide is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t replace a consultation with a doctor who knows your history. In an emergency, call 000.