- With Mayo Clinic psychiatrist
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
Dr. Daniel Hall-Flavin, board certified in general psychiatry and addiction psychiatry, is a St. Louis native looking to the Internet as a way to help people improve their health and be more active participants in their own health care by learning from Mayo Clinic's experts.
Dr. Hall-Flavin has been a member of the faculties of Cornell University Medical College, New York Medical College, and The George Washington University Medical School before joining the Mayo Clinic staff in 1996. He has special interests in adult psychiatry, addiction psychiatry, and psychogenomics. He has served as medical director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence from 1986 to 1999.
"With the advent of the genomics and proteomics revolution and the pace of advances in medicine, informed collaborative relationships between knowledgeable, capable health professionals and informed, proactive individuals and their families are more vital than ever," he said.
"I'm optimistic that our Internet health education activities will contribute to ever-improving health outcomes for all who participate and apply what is learned."
Definition (1)
- 'Clinical depression': What does that mean?
Symptoms (3)
- Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
- Atypical depression: What is it?
- Pain and depression: Is there a link?
Causes (4)
- Vitamin B-12 and depression: Are they related?
- Caffeine and depression: Is there a link?
- Marijuana and depression: What's the link?
- see all in Causes
Complications (1)
- Depression and anxiety: Can I have both?
Treatments and drugs (9)
- Antidepressants: Can they lose effectiveness over time?
- Antidepressants and alcohol: What is the concern?
- Antidepressants and weight gain: What causes it?
- see all in Treatments and drugs
Alternative medicine (1)
- Fish oil supplements: Can they treat depression?
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Question
Nervous breakdown: What does it mean?
What does it mean to have a nervous breakdown?
Answer
from Daniel K. Hall-Flavin, M.D.
The term "nervous breakdown" is sometimes used to describe a state in which a person is so severely and persistently distraught that he or she is unable to function at a normal level. Nervous breakdown isn't a medical term, however, nor does it indicate a specific mental illness.
Often, a nervous breakdown indicates depression. Signs and symptoms of depression may include:
- Loss of interest in normal daily activities
- Agitation or restlessness
- Persistent crying
- Appetite changes
- Sleep disturbances
- Trouble concentrating and making decisions
If you're concerned that you're experiencing a nervous breakdown, seek medical attention. If you have a primary care doctor, talk to him or her about your signs and symptoms — or seek help from a mental health provider.
Next questionAtypical depression: What is it?
- Lyness JM. Depression: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 3, 2008.
- Lyness JM. Depression: Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 3, 2008.
