The term "nervous breakdown" is used by the public to characterize a wide range of mental illnesses. Nervous breakdown is not a medical term and doesn't indicate a specific mental illness. Generally, the term describes a person who is severely and persistently emotionally distraught and unable to function at his or her normal level.

Often, when people refer to having a nervous breakdown, they're describing severe depression. Signs and symptoms of severe depression include:

• Agitation or restlessness
• Difficulty or inability to stop crying
• Sleeping difficulties
• Dramatic appetite changes
• Indecision

The causes of mental illness usually aren't clear. But these factors may play a role:

• Stress
• Drug and alcohol use
• Coexisting medical conditions, such as thyroid disorders and certain vitamin deficiencies
• Genetics

Bryant declared: "i have trust issues"

Sunday: Bryant tells Los Angeles Times he didn't tell ESPN in recent interview that he wanted West back and in full control or he would ask to be traded. "I would love for him to be a part of this," Bryant says. "But it's not something where I demand he comes here. ... I love being a Laker. I want to retire a Laker. I want to fix this thing or at least help any way I can."

Tuesday: Bryant becomes infuriated after Times quotes Lakers "insider" as saying it was Bryant's insistence on getting away from O'Neal that prompted O'Neal's trade to Miami.

Wednesday: Bryant tells ESPN Radio, "I would like to be traded. ... Tough as it is to come to that conclusion, there's no other alternative."

-- Bryant talks about meeting with owner Jerry Buss: "I went up to his penthouse suite. (Buss) looks me dead in the face and says, 'Kobe, I am not going to re-sign Shaq. I am not about to pay him $30 million a year or $80 million over three years. No way in hell. ... This is my decision. It's independent of you. My mind is made up. It doesn't matter to me what you do in free agency because I do not want to pay (Shaq).' "

-- O'Neal responds to Bryant. "I believe Kobe 100%. Absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind Kobe is telling the truth. I believe him a thousand percent."

-- Later Wednesday, after Bryant talks with Jackson, "I always dreamed about retiring as a Laker. I just hope and hope that something can be resolved. Something can be figured out. Just something so I can stay here."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/nervous-breakdown/AN00476

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/lakers/2007-05-30-kobe-focus_N.htm