nervous breakdown

noun

1. (not in technical use) any disabling mental disorder requiring treatment.

nervous breakdown

noun

1. any mental illness not primarily of organic origin in which the patient ceases to function properly, often accompanied by severely impaired concentration, anxiety, insomnia, and lack of self-esteem; used esp of episodes of depression

Word History and Origins

Origin of nervous breakdown¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05