'Nervous breakdown'

[StigmatisingOrNot]

Question is what does the term 'Nervous breakdown' in terms of the workplace mean or suggest to you?

Outdated and stigmatising, or something else?

To me it would mean extreme stress that had left the person virtually unable to function in everyday life.

@whatsyournamethisismine. Agreed. It's not derogatory unless used incorrectly.

I think it is an out of date term now, but I would assume it meant the person had been signed off for mental health reasons.

As above… I’d assume that a doctor wouldn’t use the term, but it’s an everyday shorthand for sever stress.

I probably wouldn’t use it in the workplace as I would worry about it being derogatory, but I’m not sure if it is?

panic attacks? To the point of being unable to do the job

A nervous breakdown is what it is is. If you you've ever had one you have no problem with the term, because you then understand why it's phrased that way. It's only an issue if used incorrectly for much minor things blowing them out of context.

A doctor would not call it that.
There are psychotic breaks, panic attacks, failure to regulate emotions, disordered eating, etc each with their own issues and treatments.
If a person at work said they had 'a nervous breakdown' I'd guess it was one or a combination of the above issues.
I'd also not judge, because we all have different coping levels.

@OppressingBlack

A nervous breakdown is what it is is. If you you've ever had one you have no problem with the term, because you then understand why it's phrased that way. It's only an issue if used incorrectly for much minor things blowing them out of context.

Totally agree with this. My GP described it as burnout (NHS, Covid) but it was essentially a nervous breakdown. Until id had one I couldn't have wrapped my head around how it develops and impacts.

I've no problem with the phrase and talk about it widely, because I have the privilege to be well educated, professional and generally otherwise have my shit together. But f me that was a bad period!!

It's not something you should see on a sick note, it's not a diagnosis but it's often the way people personally describe an episode of depression or severe anxiety, feeling very overwhelmed, distressed, feeling they can't cope or function very well.

Interesting replies from everyone :)

Would responses change if a manager asked if you could complete work before ' you have your nervous breakdown?'

I'd be speaking to HR if my manager made a comment like that. It suggests they are well aware that they are piling on unreasonable stress / workloads and rather than helping the employee they are being dismissive of the potential impact on the employees mental and physical health.

@StigmatisingOrNot it’s definitely not a professional comment. Have you a history of being off with mental health problems?

I've no problem with the phrase and talk about it widely, because I have the privilege to be well educated, professional and generally otherwise have my shit together. But f me that was a bad period!!

Same

Would responses change if a manager asked if you could complete work before ' you have your nervous breakdown?'

Now that is derogatory, rude, libellous and utter unprofessional and worthy of a trip to HR and diarising any further comments either via draft emails or in a note book. Draft emails are more powerful in investigations especially if you send them to your personal email as they are then date and time stamped.

Are you absolutely sure that's what was said ? Context is everything and if you are feeling stressed it might influence your perception ?

I had a nervous breakdown in a previous role and it really did feel like a total breakdown - panic attacks, sobbing, not sleeping, fainting, going on long term sick, needing counselling, needing legal / union help, loss of appetite, feeling suicidal.

So the terminology doesn't bother me personally

just read your update, I would not be pleased if a manager said that to me however.

That comment would be derogatory and discriminatory to people with MH issues, especially (but not only) if said to someone with MH issues and/or who was expressing concern about work stress or their health.

How patronising to say that.
The term was outdated when I had one in the 80s.
Is burnout the new term now as my therapist said I was burnt out due to overworking.

Very unprofessional and I'd be having words, either with a higher up or HR

Your update is very unprofessional from management.

I've experienced burn out, it's not nice and not something I will allow myself to repeat.

Lostforwords2021 I am sorry to hear that.
How did it manifest itself ?

@whatisforteamum

Lostforwords2021 I am sorry to hear that. How did it manifest itself ?

Slowly, very slowly, it crept up on to me until I couldn't function properly at all, even getting out of bed was a chore let alone showering and leaving the house.

I gave too much of myself away to work, no breaks, early starts with late finishes etc

I think it is often used colloquially and that's one thing.

A manager seeing signs of stress or overwork and anticipating some sort of breakdown, whether medically diagnosed or not is quite another. Not appropriate.

I work in the employment mental health field and the term to me and many professionals I work with means a psychotic break, severe suicidal ideation, or a period of time in hospital, or possibly all three.