You do not have to be rich to have a breakdown

I won’t agree anything with you, but I also won’t post anymore on this thread.

Im off to finish reading a fine play by Patrick Hamilton. I think it’s one you might enjoy, OP.

All the best.

I have bipolar disorder and GAD, I have been in crisis a few times. I was off work for 5 years as I just couldn't function. Back working now, had to go back down a rung in my career but have managed to work for the last 6 years. I've just been nominated for another award in work, my 3rd one in 6 years. If you'd told me this 7 years ago I would have laughed! I've two dc, and have never had social services or anyone involved as despite how unwell I was I still made sure my children were clean, fed, homework done etc. Not everyone is capable of this. Not saying I haven't had a few crisis during this time as I have. Having to have a couple of weeks off work and medication being tweaked. What's been a Godsend is having a manager who is empathetic. If I need time off he tells me to take it, my well being comes before work.

Having a mental health disorder would be so much easier if I had money!! I could then take proper time to care for myself instead of worrying about work when I'm off work- thanks anxiety!!

So, you’re saying you’ve said all along that there is no definition, but last night you were telling me XYZ doesn’t count because that not how clinicians in your area use it? So you agreed with me but posted that I’m wrong? Make it make sense.

In psychiatry we generally speak in terms of diagnosis and risk and severity of symptoms. We may say someone is in crisis or having a serious relapse. But I also have no issue with anyone calling it a breakdown if they feel that best describes their experience.

Right, you had completely misunderstood my posts then.

Thank you for clarifying and finally agreeing that your definition is not an agreed universal one.

What are you disagreeing with me about then, if not the definition?

Your post show you have a narrow definition of it in your mind and are not flexible to how others might define it, as can be seen from your quotes:

“Personally, I think if you can still work and look after children and function and aren’t being hospitalised you aren’t maybe as unwell as you think.”

“I wish people wouldn’t use breakdown in that way though as it really isn’t helpful or empathetic to those suffering severely.”

“Perhaps most people don’t really understand what it is like to be so mentally unwell that you need to be hospitalised sometimes for years and it really isn’t something people choose…”

”…there are definitely some people who claim to be most severely unwell but are still able to work, look after children etc. I feel that is an insult to the experience of those who are locked in hospitals unable to do anything and I don’t think it helps with awareness”

If you’re not arguing with me about the definition, then what is your disagreement with what I have said?

Oh, I agree. I also do not understand the whole "I can't afford to have a breakdown"... like having any sort of commitments, work or financial, can stop one.
If you do not make time for your wellness, you will be forced to make time for your illness.

Yes. For someone a breakdown will mean psychosis and detention under the MHA. For someone else it will mean debilitating panic attacks and a month off work. I am not going to police lay language.

I have never heard of anyone in a professional capacity say "breakdown". It has been "in crisis".
I think people hear the word breakdown and see some point that can be pinned down where someone just "lost it". MH illness does not happen like that. It creeps up on you, and sometimes you don't even know it yourself.
I have been in crisis and slept and ate ok... but everything else went to shit.

Exactly. So the op is incorrect saying mental break down has one agreed definition.

I think it happens to poorer people more often because they can’t afford to seek intervention earlier on before they reach crisis. Someone with financial security could pay for a counsellor that a poorer person needs to wait for an NHS referral for a crappy 6 sessions. The wealthy can continue that therapy as needed. A poor individual cannot take the time off necessary to recover from burn out because their sick pay is only a few weeks. The wealthy don’t have to worry about the financial implications of taking the time to recover at an earlier stage.

this is applicable to both mental and physical health in the lower paid and less financially secure. Wealth gives you access to support that lower classes can only dream of

I guess I have had a breakdown all my life then not being able to hold a job because of mental exhaustion?

I have worked as a consultant psychiatrist for over 25y. I have never once used the term ‘breakdown’ as it’s a lay and non-clinical term. People use it to describe their version of a mental health collapse. Whatever they want to describe it as is fine by me of course.

I've never heard that but it does upset me when people say how bad their breakdown/anxiety/depression is but they "just have to get on with it." Imo and my experience, when it's that bad you really can't just keep going. The body breaks and you stop functioning as you were.