Sammenbrudd

Sammenbrudd is a Norwegian term used to describe the failure or collapse of a system, process, or organism. It can refer to mental health, economic systems, infrastructure, and social or political structures. The word is formed from sammen ('together' or 'with') and brudd ('break'), indicating a breaking down of connected components.

In psychology and everyday speech, sammenbrudd commonly denotes a severe emotional or mental breakdown, often triggered by stress, trauma, or burnout. It is not a precise clinical diagnosis, but it is used to describe acute periods of impaired functioning and crisis.

In economics, the term appears in phrases like markedssammenbrudd or finansmarkedssammenbrudd to describe a crash or systemic failure of financial markets, sometimes leading to recession, bank runs, or debt crises. It is broader than a single price drop, encompassing widespread loss of confidence and liquidity.

In engineering and infrastructure, sammenbrudd refers to the sudden failure of a structure or system, such as a bridge, building, or power grid, often due to design flaws, fatigue, overloading, or natural disasters. Preparedness and resilience measures aim to prevent such collapses.

In social and political contexts, a sammenbrudd can denote the breakdown of institutions, governance, or social order, sometimes following prolonged crisis, conflict, or external shocks. Recovery typically requires coordinated reconstruction, reforms, and sustained support.