Have you had a psychotic break? How is it?

Answer 1

"dissociation" is generally considered a "psychotic break". In other words, a person is so overwhelmed by either internal or external turmoil that what we generally think of their "ego" just plain collapses. It's a pervasive and overall loss of "identity" and "sense-of-self".

This has never happened to me but I worked at a mental institution for many years and a lot of your clients had them. The thing that stood out the most was how they dissociated from reality. Sometimes their break would last just a day and some for awhile longer. It was heart breaking to see. All we could do was be there for them and be supportive of what they were going through.

Answer 2

Actually, I thought it was fun. Sad for my family to go through, but personally enriching.

Paranoia, yes, but delusions of grandeur and images within images and patterns within patterns. Completely intense and amazing. It really was like the movie "A Beautiful Mind" just with so many stories and images overlapping. Incredible really.

Insanity, but.. a really tremendous experience.

It only lasted for 3 days (twice so a total of 6 days in 5 years)... and I was hospitalized for it both times which was appropriate.

It was treated in the hospital with a high dose of Geodon.

And it officially was a psychotic break and the diagnosis is "bi-polar with psychotic features."

Answer 3

A psychotic attack is very unpleasant. You feel separated from reality, and believe things are happening that aren't. You believe you are in the wrong the whole time. You may not be able to sleep. You feel fearful most of the time, and anxious.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

It's not something I'd want to go through again! Poor judgement, horrible impusivity, anger, violence, fired from my job, 3 weeks in a psych hospital; not fun.

Answer 5

do you mean break down? if so I have had minor ones here and there, nothing some meds and therapy and time cant fix.
none of us is perfect!

Answer 6

What is it?