What is a nervous breakdown?

A nervous breakdown describes a time in someone's life when stress or mental health issues become physically and emotionally overwhelming. A nervous breakdown is also known as a mental health crisis or mental breakdown.

Most people experience stress and anxiety at some stage in their life, however this is usually at a manageable level. If feelings of stress and anxiety are there all the time or feel unmanageable, you may be having what some people call a nervous breakdown.

If you are experiencing a nervous breakdown, it's important to get professional help. Learn more about mental health crisis support and other mental health resources.

What are the symptoms of a nervous breakdown?

Symptoms of a nervous breakdown vary from person to person and will depend on the underlying cause. Physical symptoms are also common.

If you are having a nervous breakdown, you may:

• have anxiety or depression symptoms that you can't manage
• withdraw from your usual daily activities
• miss appointments or social activities
• Feel ashamed, hopeless or worthless
• feel angry or irritable
• have hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there)
• feel paranoid or nervous

Physical symptoms can include:

• sleep problems, such as insomnia (difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep)
• chest pain or feeling like your heart is racing
• sweating
• changes in appetite

People who are experiencing a nervous breakdown often can't function normally and may have thoughts of self-harm.

What causes a nervous breakdown?

A nervous breakdown can be caused by:

• a single event that causes you extreme stress, such as divorce or losing your job or a serious medical diagnosis in your family
• mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause
• a family history of mental health conditions
• financial or work-related stress
• a lack of social support

Stress and anxiety can also build up over a long period of time. You may reach a point where things feel overwhelming — this is a nervous breakdown.

When should I see my doctor?

It's important to get professional help if your symptoms:

• are constant, or noticeable most of the time
• last more than 2 weeks
• negatively affect your daily life

Many professionals are licensed to give mental health advice, including a:

• doctor
• psychologist
• counsellor

A professional can work with you to build a mental health treatment plan. This can cover the cost of up to 10 sessions of mental health treatment each year.

How is a nervous breakdown diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose a nervous breakdown. Your doctor will ask questions about your:

• symptoms
• daily life
• mental wellbeing
• safety

Your doctor may refer you to a psychiatrist or psychologist for further assessment and treatment.

How is a nervous breakdown treated?

Treatment for a nervous breakdown depends on the cause.

Medicines for a nervous breakdown

Medicines can be used to help treat an underlying mental health condition, such as depression or anxiety. Medicines for a nervous breakdown may include:

• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) — medicines that increase your levels of serotonin (a chemical in your brain) to help improve your mood and reduce anxiety
• serotonin-noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) — medicines that increase your levels of serotonin and noradrenaline (a chemical in your brain that is released in times of stress) to help improve your mood, energy and concentration
• benzodiazepines — fast-acting medicines that calm your body and help with severe anxiety. These are only recommended for short periods of time.

Other treatment options

Other treatment options for a nervous breakdown include:

• cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) — this is a type of psychotherapy that can help you better manage stress and other emotions
• psychological therapy — this may include relaxation training and mindfulness, which can help reduce your anxiety symptoms

Can a nervous breakdown be prevented?

Learning how to cope with stress and anxiety can help prevent a nervous breakdown. To help manage stress and anxiety you can:

• follow a healthy, balanced diet
• avoid soft drinks and caffeine
• exercise regularly
• take part in team sports or other group exercise
• have good sleep habits
• limit or avoid drugs and alcohol
• spend time with family and friends

It's important to know the signs that you are struggling to cope so you can ask for help before you have a nervous breakdown.

Learn more about how to recognise the signs of mental health issues.

What does recovery look like after a nervous breakdown?

Recovery following a nervous breakdown is different for everyone. It's not always clear how long it may take to recover because people have different stressors and coping abilities.

If the cause of your nervous breakdown has been diagnosed and you receive treatment, your symptoms should improve after 4 to 6 weeks. If you have started treatment but have not noticed any improvement in your symptoms, go back to your doctor.

It's important to maintain good mental health and get help when you need it.

Resources and support

If you'd like to find out more, or talk to someone about how you are feeling, there are many organisations that can help:

• Medicare Mental Health for advice and to get connected to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212. Check the operating times.
• SANE Australia for people living with a mental illness. Call 1800 187 263.
• Beyond Blue for anyone feeling depressed or anxious. Call 1300 22 4636 or chat online.
• Black Dog Institute offers online tools and information for people affected by mood disorders.
• ReachOut has courses and resources on wellbeing and resilience.
• This Way Up Clinic offers online courses for anyone with stress, anxiety and depression.
• Relationships Australia provides relationship support services. Call 1300 364 277.
• MensLine Australia has telephone and online counselling for men. Call 1300 789 978.

If you or someone you know is showing suicidal behaviours or warning signs:

• Call Lifeline (24-hour crisis support) on 13 11 14 or chat online.
• Contact the Suicide Call Back Service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for phone and online counselling. Call 1300 659 467.

Languages other than English

Transcultural Mental Health Centre has many resources about wellbeing and mental health in different languages.

Beyond Blue has translated mental health resources.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

13Yarn is a free crisis support phone service run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call them on 13 92 76 (13 YARN).

Black Dog Institute has social and emotional wellbeing resources for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Headspace has free online support for young people 12 to 25 years of age.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.