We’ve all heard of cars and machinery breaking down, but humans can reach breaking points, too. A breakdown refers to a sudden inability to function at full capacity, due to physical, mental, or emotional challenges. Depending on the type of breakdown, a person might lose their ability to carry out day-to-day activities. Alternatively, they might lose touch with reality.
More than likely, you’ve heard phrases like nervous breakdown, mental breakdown, and psychotic break. But did you know that they can look different or mean different things? Let’s explore the key differences between a nervous breakdown and a psychotic break, as well as the symptoms of each.
What is a Psychotic Break?
A psychotic break is an episode of psychosis, a condition that affects the mind and disrupts a person’s perception of reality. Psychotic breaks typically come on suddenly, either as a reaction to a traumatic event or a symptom of more serious mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Psychotic breaks are characterized by a sudden loss of touch with reality, including:
- Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real)
- Delusions (believing things that are not true)
- Paranoia
- Disorganized thinking
- Confused speech
- Severe mood swings
- Erratic or inappropriate behaviors
- Severe anxiety
In addition to these symptoms, there are warning signs that often lead up to a psychotic break. These include:
- Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
- Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Uneasiness around or suspiciousness of others
- Strong emotions and mood swings (or, alternatively, showing no emotion)
- Inexplicable drops in school or work performance
- Disruption of usual sleeping patterns
- Trouble communicating
- Difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality
Psychotic breaks are rare, with about three percent of people expected to experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. However, those that do experience one (or multiple) require professional attention and support. A psychotic break can cause a person to act in unpredictable ways—sometimes becoming a danger to themselves or others. Specifically, the risk of violence and suicide escalates during episodes of psychosis. For this reason, if you spot any of the warning signs of a psychotic break, or are concerned your loved one is experiencing this type of breakdown, do not hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional.
What is a Nervous Breakdown?
A nervous breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe a period of intense stress, in which a person feels so overwhelmed that they are not able to function properly. Also called a mental breakdown, a nervous breakdown is a build-up of physical and emotional stress that becomes too difficult to cope with, causing a person to feel “broken down.”
Nervous breakdowns are synonymous with overwhelming stress and anxiety. And as such, they are common. During a nervous breakdown, a person might experience a sudden inability to concentrate, relax, or even take a deep breath. Common symptoms of a nervous breakdown include, but are not limited to:
- Panic attack
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Irritability
- Excessive nervousness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Appetite changes
- Headache
- Muscle tension
- Emotional or physical exhaustion
- Difficulty making decisions
- Struggling to concentrate or retain information
- Unexpected mood swings or outbursts
- Low self-esteem or feelings of inadequacy
- Feelings of detachment or lack of motivation
- Feeling stuck or incapacitated
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
Nervous breakdowns can cause a person to self-isolate and struggle with daily tasks—think, getting out of bed, brushing their teeth, and going to work. While this is typically temporary, experiencing a nervous breakdown should be taken seriously.
While a nervous breakdown is not a medical diagnosis, it is often a sign of deeper-seated issues with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or adjustment disorder (a condition brought on by a traumatic event). As such, it’s important to bring this up with a healthcare provider to ensure you or your loved one receives the proper attention and support.
What are the Differences Between Psychotic Breaks and Nervous Breakdowns?
Causes
Psychotic breaks, more formally known as psychosis, can be caused by a variety of different risk factors. For example, a family history of psychosis or related conditions (such as schizophrenia) can put a person at increased risk of a psychotic break. Similarly, certain medical conditions that affect the mind, like dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and schizoaffective disorder can increase a person’s risk. Other common causes of psychotic episodes include drug abuse, brain injuries, and a history of trauma.
People are more likely to experience a nervous breakdown (i.e., mental breakdown) than a psychotic break—meaning the causes of a nervous breakdown are a bit more common. Most often, nervous breakdowns are caused by immense or chronic stress. The specific cause of this stress can vary by person, but it is the overall piling of stress (and the inability to cope with it) that ultimately leads to a mental breakdown. For example, excessive pressure at school, a traumatic experience, or major life changes can lead to overwhelming stress and a subsequent breakdown.
Now, certain factors can make a person more vulnerable to experiencing a mental breakdown or mental health crisis. Just like with psychosis, a family history of anxiety disorders can increase a person’s risk of having a nervous breakdown. However, a personal history of anxiety is more likely to trigger this type of episode. Similarly, if a person has a worsening medical condition or mental health disorder, affecting their ability to function properly, it can increase their risk.
Symptoms
As described above, psychotic breaks and nervous breakdowns manifest themselves differently.
Psychotic breaks are characterized by distorted thoughts and perceptions, and a general disconnect from reality. Most often, those experiencing a psychotic break will have delusions, hallucinations, and a tough time separating reality and fantasy. They may also display cognitive symptoms like unusual ideas or an inability to concentrate, as well as significant, emotional fluctuations.
Those who experience a nervous breakdown, meanwhile, will experience significant feelings of overwhelm and stress, in turn leading to a sudden onset of anxiousness, depression, irritability, fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and trouble functioning in their day-to-day life. Those who have a nervous breakdown might feel “sick” without an explicable cause, or feel “stuck,” unmotivated, and unable to carry out daily obligations and tasks.
Treatment
Both psychotic breaks and mental breakdowns warrant the need for professional help. However, the severity of these occurrences will differ, affecting the type of treatment that one might pursue.
Psychotic breaks are usually (but not always) a symptom of a serious mental health condition like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression. While these are episodic, and therefore easy to dismiss, seeking treatment at the signs of psychosis can result in a better recovery long-term. Psychosis can be treated by a qualified mental health treatment provider, usually through a combination of antipsychotic medication and ongoing, specialized therapy.
As explained by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “People experience better outcomes from coordinated specialty care if they begin treatment as soon as possible after psychotic symptoms emerge.”
Nervous breakdowns, on the other hand, are not a clinical diagnosis. However, they are often symptoms of underlying anxiety and stress-related disorders, and therefore can benefit from professional treatment. Additionally, those experiencing any overload of stress can benefit from therapy. For those who have experienced a mental or emotional breakdown, the typical course of treatment is psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy. This type of therapy helps individuals manage intense feelings of stress and negative thought patterns, as well as teaches them coping skills to deal with difficult emotions and triggers. One of the most effective, evidence-based types of psychotherapy for anxiety is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which helps to:
- Identify difficult symptoms and triggers
- Explore the causes of stress more deeply, as well as how one responds to it
- Challenge and change negative thoughts and behaviors
- Learn how to cope with stressful situations and emotions
- Discover how to calm the body and mind in times of stress
Are you feeling like you’re on the verge of “breaking down”?
If you or your loved one is showing the early signs of a breakdown, psychosis, or another type of mental health crisis, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
This might involve reaching out to a trusted friend or family member for support. It might be a conversation with your primary care provider, or another healthcare professional. Or, if you are unsure where to turn, you may contact a mental health specialist for guidance and support. As a mental health treatment provider for teens and young adults, Turnbridge is always here for you.Contact us at 877-581-1793 to learn more about treatment options for psychosis, anxiety disorders, and other mental health conditions. Any type of breakdown is a mental health crisis—you deserve compassionate, expert, and evidence-based support.