Do You Know What A Psychotic Breakdown Is?

A psychotic breakdown occurs when a person experiences a serious change in their perception of reality. We need to learn more about this in order to improve the quality of life of people affected.

In this article, we will offer you information about the main features of the crashes, what they can be caused by and some tips on how to deal with them.

Psychotic breakdowns are characterized by the affected person having abnormal ideas and perceptions, losing touch with reality and showing changes in their behavior. A temporary separation from reality takes place.

The person who experiences a psychotic breakdown sees a changed reality, and can therefore not function normally in their environment. The main features of psychotic breakdowns are:

• Delusions or changes in the content of their thoughts due to interpretations or distortions of reality.
• Hallucinations. A perception of an object, an image or an external stimulus that is not real.
• Disorganized thoughts and / or behaviors.
• Reckless physical appearance.
• Social isolation.

Its duration can vary from days to weeks, and hospitalization may be necessary. With the right medication and psychological treatment, however, the person can become stable again and thus return to their normal life routine.

Psychotic breakdowns can be caused by various causes, such as excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs, certain drugs, organic or biological reasons, severe depression, severe emotional bumps or suffering from schizophrenia, bipolarity or borderline personality disorder, among others.

There are some misconceptions about what constitutes a psychotic breakdown and other mental disorders. Many people think that it is the same as schizophrenia. It can be said that schizophrenia is a type of long-term psychotic breakdown, while a regular psychotic breakdown occurs for a much shorter period.

Borderline or bipolar disorder can include the onset of a psychotic breakdown. However, these breakdowns can also be caused by a single episode, without any connection to other mental illnesses, such as very stressful situations, such as traffic accidents.

People who are at risk of suffering from a psychotic breakdown or who have already suffered it need pharmacological treatment (antipsychotic drugs) and psychotherapy. There is even a tendency that family interventions are successful because there is a way to bring the family closer to the person’s experience and to bring this information, tools and support.

Many specialists in this field confirm that it is recommended that society should be very understanding and aware of the situation.

Not using stigmatizing language, offering continuous help and reminding the person to continue their medication and the fact that they are loved, valued, respected and supported can help them more than we realize.

Psychiatrist Roberto Fernández personally supports assertive community treatment to treat people who are experiencing episodes of psychotic breakdown. With this therapy, one can alleviate the development of the disease and reduce recurring processes.

Active Community Treatment is a program that can be applied as soon as the psychotic breakdown has become apparent. It involves orienting the affected person and providing him with constant care, followed by constant follow-ups of the person’s development. It is an integrated community work that focuses on everyone around the patient, with a focus on intervening at home.