Mental collapses refer to a state of extreme emotional distress that can result in the temporary or permanent impairment of an individual's mental and emotional health. There are several synonyms for this term, including nervous breakdowns, emotional breakdowns, mental breakdowns, and nervous exhaustion. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe similar states of psychological distress that can result from prolonged stress, trauma, or mental illness. Other related terms may include panic attacks, anxiety attacks, and dissociative episodes. While these terms are not interchangeable, they all reflect the complex and often painful range of emotional experiences that people may go through when experiencing mental collapses.