mental breakdown

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mental breakdown" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a period of intense mental distress or emotional exhaustion, usually caused by stress or other external factors. For example, "John's debilitating anxiety caused him to suffer a mental breakdown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mental breakdown".

The New York Times

Ryun called it a "mental breakdown".

The New York Times - Sports

Notes toward a mental breakdown?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This second imprisonment precipitated Carrington's mental breakdown.

The New Yorker

"I was frightened of a mental breakdown.

The Guardian

But I'd been having a mental breakdown.

The Guardian - Sport

His parents divorced, he suffered mental breakdown.

The New York Times - Sports

Inevitably, terror and mental breakdown follow.

The Guardian - Tech

"My brother Steven had a mental breakdown," he said.

The New York Times

I thought I was going to have a mental breakdown.

The New York Times - Health

"There's a real risk of his suffering a mental breakdown.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about mental health, be mindful of the impact of your language. Using respectful and sensitive language can reduce stigma and promote understanding.

Common error

Do not use "mental breakdown" lightly to describe everyday stress or minor inconveniences. This diminishes the severity of genuine mental health crises and can be insensitive to those who have experienced them.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental breakdown" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to a period of severe emotional or psychological distress. Ludwig examples show it is used to describe the consequences of stress, trauma, or underlying mental health issues.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mental breakdown" is a common and generally correct way to describe a severe state of emotional or psychological distress. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. While not a formal clinical term, it effectively communicates the severity of someone's mental state. When using the phrase, it's important to be mindful of the impact of your language and avoid trivializing serious mental health issues. Consider alternatives such as "nervous breakdown" or "emotional collapse" depending on the context, and always prioritize sensitivity when discussing mental health.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nervous breakdown

A more traditional term with similar meaning. Highlights the nervous system's role.

emotional collapse

Focuses specifically on the emotional aspect of the breakdown.

psychological crisis

Emphasizes the critical and unstable state of mental health.

mental health crisis

A more general term referring to a critical state of someone's mental health.

emotional distress

Describes a state of significant emotional suffering without necessarily implying a complete breakdown.

psychotic episode

Refers to a specific type of mental health crisis involving a loss of touch with reality.

decompensation

Clinical term for a failure of psychological defenses, leading to worsening symptoms.

acute stress reaction

Highlights the sudden onset and connection to a specific stressful event.

cognitive overload

Focuses on the inability to process information, potentially leading to a mental breakdown.

loss of mental equilibrium

Describes the loss of balance of the mental state.

FAQs

How to use "mental breakdown" in a sentence?

You can use "mental breakdown" to describe a situation where someone experiences severe emotional or psychological distress. For example: "The stress of the job led to a "mental breakdown"." or "She suffered a "mental breakdown" after the traumatic event."

What can I say instead of "mental breakdown"?

You can use alternatives like "nervous breakdown", "emotional collapse", or "psychological crisis" depending on the context.

Is "mental breakdown" a clinical term?

"Mental breakdown" is not a formal clinical term. Mental health professionals typically use more specific terms such as "acute stress reaction", "psychotic episode", or refer to specific conditions like anxiety disorders or depression to describe the person's mental state.

What are the common causes of a "mental breakdown"?

A "mental breakdown" can be caused by various factors including chronic stress, trauma, genetic predisposition, and underlying mental health conditions. Significant life events such as job loss, relationship issues, or bereavement can also trigger a "mental breakdown".