10 Signs of a Psychotic Break

What Is Psychosis?

Psychosis refers to a psychological state where you experience a break from reality. The symptoms of psychosis often include delusions or hallucinations, which cause the person to become confused and act in ways that are not appropriate for the situation.

While psychosis can occur in those as young as 15, it is uncommon for it to occur in childhood. Early signs of psychosis typically present between the ages of 18 and 25.

Signs of Psychosis

Knowing how to recognize a psychotic break is key to discovering the signs early and getting appropriate mental health treatment. While symptoms may vary, here are 10 common warning signs of a psychotic break.

1. Hallucinations

Hallucinations are perceived experiences in the absence of an external stimulus. Examples include hearing voices that are not there or seeing objects or people that are not real.

2. Experiencing Delusions

A delusion is a false belief that a person holds on to without proper reasoning behind it, even in the face of evidence to the contrary of that belief. There are different types of delusions:

• Persecutory – believing that others want to harm me
• Referential – believing that shows, movies, or strangers are talking about or referring to you
• Grandiose – inflating a view of yourself
• Nihilistic – believing that catastrophes will occur
• Bizarre – having delusions outside the realm of possibility

3. Confusing Thoughts and Trouble Thinking Logically

This symptom is usually noticed in a person’s speech and communication patterns. You may notice that thoughts are loosely connected or do not follow a coherent or logical direction.

4. Being Suspicious or Paranoid

Due to confusing thoughts, delusions, and hallucinations, a person experiencing psychosis may be suspicious or paranoid about their interactions with others. Psychosis affects the ability to differentiate between real and imagined, which can lead a person to feel unsure about other people’s feelings and behaviors toward them.

5. Poor Hygiene and Self-care

You may notice that someone suffering from a psychotic break has a decline in their personal hygiene. Bathing, brushing teeth, maintaining clean clothing, and other self-care activities may stop.

6. Having Issues With Sleep

Many people experiencing psychosis have trouble sleeping. This could be due to paranoia, intrusive thoughts, or other mental health issues happening alongside the psychosis. A lack of sleep can cause changes in mood and worsen psychological symptoms.

7. Experiencing a Lack of Feelings or Lack of Motivation

Some describe feeling strange or cut off from the world when experiencing psychosis. You may notice that things feel different, or you have lost the motivation to do things you would typically enjoy.

8. Withdrawing From Others

You may feel like you want to socially withdraw during a psychotic break since you are struggling to make sense of your symptoms and feeling anxious and paranoid.

9. Experiencing Intense Anxiety

Anxiety is very common with psychosis as you are trying to sort through what is real versus what is a delusion. Anxiety can cause issues with concentrating, eating, sleeping, and functioning normally at work or school.

10. Having Suicidal Thoughts or Behaviors

In some cases, a person experiencing a psychotic episode may try to harm themselves or become threatening or violent toward others. The risk of suicide and self-harm decreases with treatment for psychosis.

If you or someone you love is having increased suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available to you 24/7 at 988.

What Causes a Psychotic Break?

There is no one cause of psychosis, and in some cases, a specific cause may not be identified. Psychosis could be a result of a combination of, or any one of, the following:

• Genetic risks
• Differences in brain development, such as reduced prefrontal, superior, and medial temporal grey matter
• Exposure to stressors or trauma
• Sleep deprivation
• Some prescription medications
• Substance misuse
• Underlying mental illnesses

Some mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression, can include psychosis.

Additionally, some diseases, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, can also be marked with psychotic episodes.

How to Help Someone With Psychosis

If you or someone you know is experiencing psychosis, catching the symptoms early on can lead to better outcomes. A Harvard study shows that early intervention with psychosis can provide the following benefits:

• Less treatment resistance
• Lower risk of relapse
• Reduced risk for suicide
• Better attendance at work or school
• Retention of social skills and support
• Decreased need for hospitalization
• More rapid recovery
• Better prognosis
• Reduced family disruption and distress

The longer you let your psychosis symptoms go untreated, the more severe they can become and the more distress they can produce for you and your loved ones.

Treatment for psychosis may include a multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals such as psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists, and social workers. You can expect some of the following from your treatment team:

• Thorough assessments to identify any known causes of your psychotic episode
• Medication management from doctors to help alleviate psychosis symptoms
• Therapy to assist with developing coping skills for when symptoms arise
• Family therapy to help you and your loved ones navigate distressing situations
• Peer support groups that offer community as you go through recovery
• Vocational and occupational coaching to support you as you return to your everyday life after treatment.

Psychosis Recovery

There are specific signs to look for that you may be experiencing a psychotic break. If you or a loved one is experiencing these symptoms and suspect a psychotic disorder, reach out for help now by contacting your doctor or a mental health professional or visiting your nearest emergency medical facility.