What is the correct term for "breakdown"?

Hi!

I have MDD, amongst other dxs. My question is, what is the proper/correct term for a "breakdown". My definition of a my "breakdown, is when I ceased to be able to function, ie work. It seemed as if all of my various symptoms converged at once. I was too afraid to go to work, could not function to dress & bathe, stopped eating, did not sleep very well, cried, was in a mental fog, isolated myself, etc.

One of my pdocs, about 5 yrs. ago said you are a "high functioning " depressive, whatever that meant. I was assuming she referred to the fact I had a bunch of issues but was able to function in my job. But then again she was the pdoc whom failed to observe me weighing 82 lbs.

I am a mental mess.

I'm not sure what a breakdown really means, but some doctors look at the wrong things. They miss that everyone don't look the same with severe depression.

I couldn't function but the doc didn't notice that because she didn't believe me... didn't look sad, didn't cry.

Friend of mine was very active but also severely depressed, he was lucid and up and doing stuff until his last day on earth.

They need to take us seriously.

Thanks Jimi-

They do need to take us seriously! One pdoc, same one actually, barely looked at me, while I was exhibiting my anxiety..picking my scalp. During one visit, to bruise her ego, as I did not like her, plus she missed something else, I said, "You know, my gyn doc is SHOCKED that you missed my severe weight loss and feels I have an eating disorder, which i do not. It is a result of the depression & anxiety". She turned to me & looked down at me. Me: "I weighed 83 lbs when I was @ his office, which, AS YOU KNOW, makes my BMI very low, too low". She accused me of hiding it from her...not so, if she would have looked at me, she would have noticed the weight loss, I also mentioned it.

I was just wondering what to name my episode/nonfunctioing condition I am in without having to EXPLAIN it.

Thanks.

I use the word breakdown to describe when I am unable to function or achieve even a decent quality of life. When I go silent, have isolated crying spells. I tend to keep my emotions internalized. Ever since I was a child, really. About five months ago I found myself sobbing in my bed, forgetting what was going on, only to call my best friend to ask her to bring me to the hospital. I stayed there over night because the psychiatrist did not want to see another person until the morning. I had to call my parents and tell them where I was.
When the psychiatrist finally saw me, he looked at me ONCE before he wrote that I "appear healthy". I told him that I don't leave my room, I failed three of my classes, I don't eat, I don't sleep, I don't talk. He said that it will "pass" and sent me home with one ambien.

It's so frustrating. I wish doctors would take these issues seriously.

{{Teen Idle}},

OMG, that is horrible treatment! One ambien?? As if that would help you in the long run. I hope you found a decent pdoc.

In my case I am difficult to medicate because of a physical disorder, which when prescribed the SSRIs, cause severe muscle cramps, to the point I cannot walk. So the pdocs have to work a bit more...At one point I just threw myself down on a chair in her office as she was rushing me out(5-10 minutes of her typing into her laptop, not looking at me)...I asked for samples and or a discount card for the copay (when I had insurance)..She "did not know if she had any". So I informed her than we can try something ELSE which she does have samples of/a discount card for..

I agree with your definition of breakdown. My "breakdown" was when I could not go to work, was having panic atttacks even thinking about it, Ruminate on certain things in my mind, unable to eat or sleep, basically shut down.

I don't know that there is one but I think your description is about the same as mine.

My counsellor told me that they don't call it a nervous breakdown anymore.. He said they call it a psychotic episode.. Or a psychotic break

Thanks James-

Psychotic break sounds good to me...as that is what is was/is.