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# nervous exhaustion

phrase (noun phrase: nervous exhaustion, uncountable)

«nervous exhaustion» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, old-fashioned) a mental breakdown; being so stressed or ill in the mind that a person cannot carry on with daily life.
2. (literal) great tiredness caused by worry and stress.

### In the lessons

In the past, newspapers, families and press offices used it to explain why a famous person suddenly went into hospital or stopped working, without naming a mental illness, which was seen as shameful. Old-fashioned and polite register, all countries; today people more often speak openly of stress, burnout or depression.

### Examples

- The singer cancelled her tour, suffering from nervous exhaustion.
- Great-uncle Bill was sent to the seaside to recover from «nervous exhaustion».
- The press release said the actor was in hospital with exhaustion.
- After weeks of exams and no sleep, she was close to nervous exhaustion.
- Doctors no longer use «nervous exhaustion» as a real diagnosis.
- Mate, you're not having nervous exhaustion, you're just tired from gaming all night.

### Note

It is not a precise medical term; it often hid depression, anxiety or a breakdown. Do not laugh at someone said to have it; it may be serious. Plain words: breakdown, burnout, mental illness.