nervous breakdown

American  

noun

• nervous breakdowns
  plural

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

---

nervous breakdown British  

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

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nervous breakdowns
  plural

---

Etymology

Origin of nervous breakdown

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nervous breakdown

In 2023, she had a nervous breakdown and stepped away from showbusiness.

From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026

Lindsey Korine has been living under a bridge after having a nervous breakdown and walking out on his wife and son.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

In my mid 60s, I found myself divorced and on the verge of a nervous breakdown.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 26, 2026

"We often wonder whether mum had a nervous breakdown during that time," she said.

From BBC ● Mar. 2, 2025

We had to see them watching our faces for any sign of a nervous breakdown.

From "Missing May" by Cynthia Rylant

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---