ˌnervous ˈbreakdown BrE AmE noun [countable]
a mental illness in which someone becomes extremely anxious and tired and cannot deal with the things they usually do:
Colin came close to having a nervous breakdown last year.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ have a nervous breakdown
My mother had a nervous breakdown after my father's death.
▪ suffer a nervous breakdown
At university, Jan suffered a nervous breakdown and was treated for depression.
▪ be heading for a nervous breakdown (=be likely to suffer one soon)
She should slow down a bit - I think she's heading for a nervous breakdown.
■ adjectives
▪ a complete nervous breakdown
He had a complete nervous after leaving university.
■ phrases
▪ be on the verge/edge of a nervous breakdown (=to be very close to having a nervous breakdown)
These events left her on the verge of a nervous breakdown.