You do not have to be rich to have a breakdown

[UndertheCedartree]

I heard this recently - you have to be rich to have a breakdown. Meaning that those who are not wealthy have to 'just get on with it.' They can't have a mental breakdown as they have to work etc.

I really disagree with this. I had a serious mental breakdown and I can assure people that psychiatric hospitals are not full of wealthy people. I think this narrative is really dangerous as it makes people think they 'don't have time' to look after their mental health and the trouble is this then means a serious breakdown is more likely and at that point it is really not a choice. When you get sectioned you don't get a choice as to if you 'want' to have a breakdown or not as you need to work.

I think this also disproportionately affects women as there is the added narrative that you have to 'just get on with it' with the home and children. The truth is there are many mothers in hospital like I was.

I encourage people to choose to look after their mental health as otherwise you may end up being forced to look after it. Obviously, I'm not saying that you can always prevent these things but early intervention seems to have better outcomes.

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.

To be fair, I've been making the same point all along. I also never said there was an agreed universal definition. However, I clarified what I meant by a mental breakdown many times so it was very clear what I meant. I also clarified it was not a diagnosis.

So your only point was that there is not a universal agreed definition of a mental breakdown? I think you've missed the point of the thread!

Thank you for answering that 😊

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.

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!!

Exactly, I said that was how clinicians in my area use it. I didn't claim a set definition everywhere but I did explain exactly what I meant by the term so it was clear.

Again, I have explained clearly to you what my disagreement with you was. It is only you arguing with yourself about set definitions and not engaging with the actual point of the thread.

So maybe we should agree to disagree so as not to derail the thread further?

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.

Wow! That really is something to be very proud of! And so glad you have a supportive manager who let's you have time off when you need it. It definitely would make it easier with no money worries. But good your wellbeing comes before work. It is also great to hear your children have not needed children's services. Mine have been on CIN need a couple of times and it was mostly useless and at times traumatic especially for the DC.

All the best too 😊