nervous breakdown (ner-vŭs brayk-down) n. a lay term applied to a range of emotional crises varying from a brief attack of ‘hysterical’ behaviour to a major mental illness with severe long-term effects on the life of the sufferer. The term is also sometimes used as a euphemism for a frank psychiatric illness, such as schizophrenia.

nervous breakdown Popular term for a mental and emotional crisis in which the person either is unable or feels unable to function normally. It is an imprecise term and refers to any of a range of conditions. See also mental disorder

nerv·ous break·down • n. a period of mental illness resulting from severe depression, stress, or anxiety.