Difference

[jennyjoan]

Anybody know what is the difference between a person suffering from severe depression and having a nervous breakdown.

[Peter Pedant]

one is a medical diagnosis
the other you read is from Leicester merc - or the Sunny SUn

[ummmm]

I would think they go hand in hand but a nervous breakdown is often a reaction to trauma whereas depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

[Sqad]

I agree with PP.

[jennyjoan]

I don't understand Peter's post.

[Mamyalynne]

He means 'nervous breakdown' is not a term used by a clinician.

[ToraToraTora]

JJ: "I don't understand Peter's post." - Noooo!

[Sqad]

I understand the post of PP, it can't be clearer.

[barry1010]

A friend of mine was clinically depressed for years and tried many treatments and medications including electroconvulsive therapy. Usually she could live at home and coped. When she really couldn’t cope and had to be sectioned her family said she was suffering a nervous breakdown. It seemed to be an accepted term that most people understood.
Really, her illness was just much worse than usual.

[ummmm]

My dad had a breakdown and that's what they called it back then. It was caused by grief.

[Mamyalynne]

It's all about wording really, to me the term represents a climax of a depressive state - as in the case mentioned by Ummmm there can often be a trigger.

People go through life coping with all sorts of mental anguish but then it becomes too much to bear.

[naomi24]

If a nervous breakdown isn’t a medical diagnosis it should be. People having nervous breakdowns aren’t simply suffering from depression.

[barry1010]

I believe the current correct term for 'nervous breakdown' is 'mental health crisis'.

[bednobs]

when i was growing up the mum of a friend of mine had a "nervous breakdown" - it was synonymous with being admitted to a mental health hospital back then (40+ years ago) now that more people are treated in the community im not sure that's the same any more

[jourdain2]

It's very subtle isn't it? It's probably the point at which someone loses any control over their mind, feelings and reactions. That really is as far as I can go.
I've suffered from depression - in fact 'severe depression', if you count in being tempted to drive your car at high speed into a tree. But I have never crossed the point into 'nervous breakdown'. That's one for the medics and I've been on the point of driving my car into a tree - but somehow survived and here to not only tell the tale, but tell others that life is not always narrowing and that all can be well.

[barry1010]

Hope life is much kinder and more agreeable for you now, Jourdain

[pixie374]

I have one at about 24. It's caused by depression and anxiety one way or another, but is more critical. It's impossible really to diagnose properly, as it's different degrees. But people understand the phrase, so it's still used, along with mental breakdown.

[jennyjoan]

thanks for the posts