How to help a person with a psychotic break?

During a psychotic break, the patient requires support to reconnect with reality and feel understood. In this article, you will learn how to deal with this situation.

Written and verified by the psychologist Elena Sanz.

Imagine suddenly losing touch with reality, perceiving stimuli that are not really present or having strange and unreal thoughts. This is what happens during psychosis, a distressing situation that prevents those who suffer from it from functioning correctly in their daily lives. Given the seriousness of the phenomenon, it is important to know how to help someone facing a psychotic break.

It may seem like we will never find ourselves in this situation. However, these episodes can be experienced by people without any underlying mental pathology. So how to proceed? We see it below.

A study by the Red Biomedical Research Center indicates the highly variable incidence of psychotic outbreaks in regions of 5 European countries and in Brazil. While in the United States, the National Institute of Mental Health reports about 100,000 cases of psychosis each year.

What is a psychotic break?

Let’s start by clarifying that psychosis is not a disorder in itself. According to clinical psychology, it is a mental state produced within the framework of different psychological disorders. It is characterized by a split or loss of contact with reality, which generates alterations in perception, thinking and behavior.

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) includes several conditions in which psychosis is present; among others, schizophrenia, delusional disorder or schizoaffective disorder. In addition, it mentions the so-called brief psychotic disorder, which refers to what we know as an isolated psychotic outbreak.

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We talk about the presence of the main symptoms of psychosis, but limited to a period which ranges from one day to one month. Thus, unlike what happens with other diagnoses, after this period the episode usually resolves and the person recovers normal functioning.

This means that a psychotic break can be experienced in an isolated, unique and specific way. But it is also possible that it is recurrent or arises from an underlying mental disorder. In any case, Its main symptoms include delusions, hallucinations or disorganized speech; catatonic behavior is added.

How to act in the event of a psychotic break?

During this episode, the person disconnects from reality and has serious difficulties in functioning in your day to day life; apart from suffering, in many cases, significant anguish or psychological discomfort. Based on this, how to help someone with a psychotic break? According to a work prepared by the Andalusian Health Service (2021), the following are some guidelines to consider.

Pay attention to early warning signs

Before the psychotic outbreak appears, the person may show some unusual signs and behaviors that put them on alert and allow them to seek help in time; Therefore, it is advisable to be on the lookout.

In this regard, it is likely to find apathy, isolation, mood swings, or disturbances in sleep and appetite. But what should be most alarming are strange perceptions (whether visual or auditory), abnormal beliefs or ideas (such as thinking that people are against you), or the feeling that everything is less real than before.

Be available and empathetic

To help someone with a psychotic break, it is essential to understand the situation they are experiencing and how complicated and distressing it can be. Typically, the person feels confused and disoriented, which causes them to act unpredictably. Furthermore, for her, everything he lives and feels is real and In the face of a trial he would become defensive or close in on himself.

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Because of this, it is preferable speak calmly, with short and simple sentences, in a private environment and with little stimulation. Try to express your concern without judging or attacking. Try to make them feel understood and be interested in how they feel.

Facilitate contact with reality

During an acute psychosis it is necessary to help the person regain contact with reality. In this stage, Rooting exercises are useful. This is suggested by the non-profit organization Mental Health America.

These consist of use the five senses to reconnect with the here and now; For example, offer them a hot meal or drink, show them objects that they observe in detail, let them smell different oils, or talk to them about the weather or what their posture is like at that moment.

Offer practical help

Beyond the emotional, helping a person with a psychotic break may require offering to contribute to tasks such as accompany you to certain appointments and activities, remind you to take your medication or support you in making decisions. And we must remember that, for a person in this situation, functioning normally and resolving everyday issues is complicated.

Seek professional support

A psychotic break is difficult to manage and requires guidance from health professionals. During the acute phase it may be necessary to call emergency services and, in the medium and long term, the intervention of psychiatry, clinical psychology and other specialties is essential to avoid relapses or control the progression of the disease (Center for Addiction and Mental Health, 2015).

However, as stated in a publication by the Early Psychosis Prevention & Intervention Center, the person may be reluctant to take medication, undergo psychotherapy or accept hospitalization, so those close to them can contribute to the make you see the benefits that this will bring and be a support during the process.

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It is even advisable that, if you are a family member of someone with a psychotic break, seek professional attention for yourself too. The situation becomes disturbing and stressful and having guidance and a safe space to talk about it is helpful.

Helping a person with a psychotic break requires knowledge and calm

Finally, it is important to mention that, to help a person with a psychotic break, you need to have information about it. Understanding well what psychosis is, how an outbreak can manifest itself or what its causes are helps to alleviate fear. in the face of the uncertainty of what is happening.

In addition, Keeping calm is key at this moment if we are the person close to us, because only then will we transmit tranquility. and security. To achieve this, we recommend that you consult with a professional who provides essential information, clears up doubts, debunks myths and provides support while you support your loved one.