Is there still a place for a breakdown?

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31st May 2011 10:55 a.m.

Theresa Roberts

I have noticed in the past few months that the word ‘breakdown’ is being used more in the TV soaps that I sadly watch.  This word, when I was growing up, was always used when a person could NOT cope with the pressures and stresses of life. It would be used in a very quiet and nobody must know kind of way, whispered in case anyone over heard.

In John’s case in Corrie, his wife is talking about his breakdown recovery but in actual fact he can’t cope with the fact that he has murdered several people so maybe he does have a mental health issue. But Dot in EastEnders, is suffering a breakdown because she cannot cope with the fact that her husband is not recovering well from a stroke and the pressures of caring for him have been too much. Both stories have been mentioned on the BBC’s Points of View programme and how breakdown is being portrayed.

Over the ten years I have worked in Oxleas I have not heard it being used. People seem to suffer from depression or a mental health condition but not from a nervous or mental breakdown.  It is something that I would imagine affects people who are caring for someone rather than have a mental illness.

I think this term is less frightening and should be returned as a term to our every day language as it is basically a more simple word to understand. Carers may be more happier to ask for help if we use it rather than telling them that they are depressed. From memory, breakdown was always a temporary condition which was easily treated but depression seems more long term to me. 

Filed under: Write way campaign

Theresa Roberts

troberts

Theresa Roberts works in the Communications Department and is the Publications Officer.

She has worked at Oxleas for the past 10 years.

theresa.roberts@oxleas.nhs.uk

Comments

1 Christine says...

Is Dot having a breakdown or maybe emotionally exausted I think a breakdown is a bit more confused than that and depression is what we all suffer from when things are not the way we want them to be, which can be anything from the weather or diffculties with money or family which can also last a long time. . Dot is doing some funny stuff so Eastenders does show the difference more clearly. It must be helpful to those hardworking carers who go home and watch the box to relax. so I agree with you.
Have a nice day Theresa

Posted at 12:25 p.m. on June 1, 2011

2 Michelle says...

I think you're right Theresa, breakdown is more of a temporary condition when a situation becomes intolerable, whereas depression seems to be a more serious long term condition (it certainly is long term in my case). The term "mental health condition" is a generic, cover-all term for any form of mental illness and isn't always very helpful. So, perhaps breakdown should be reintroduced.

Also, I think the word depression is often mis-used. I know that thousands more cases are being diagnosed today, often due to the stress and pressure of modern life, but is it really depression or just a feeling of being unable to cope, which isn't permanent?

The popular media often raise interesting life issues and it is important that we query them, because they act as opinion formers in our modern world.

Thanks for this opportunity to comment - by the way, I LOVE Corrie, just hope it never loses its sense of humour!

Posted at 3:37 p.m. on June 2, 2011

3 susie says...

This is a very controversial issue as there are so many words and expressions these days that are not politically correct. Breakdown is a very sound descriptive word. A machine can breakdown, a car can breakdown, so why not the human mind. I don`t think it is offensive or patronising simply an explanation of what is going on with that person at that time. I think it is a sad comment on society today that we have to take a deep breath before we say anything. Perhaps this is a BREAKDOWN in communication rather than anything more complicated. Iam not a soap watcher, but hate to be told what to do and say!!!!

Posted at 8:59 p.m. on June 7, 2011

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