The medical profession defines psychosis as leaving reality or an altered reality where one can see and/or hear things that are not there. I have wondered where the mind escapes to during psychosis? I have looked for answers, but I have only been able to find guesses. Since we don’t have all the answers about psychosis, it can be beneficial to become familiar with some psychosis strategies in case of a psychotic breakdown.
Psychosis Strategies
- Speak softly and respectfully in short simple sentences.
- If they get angry, stop talking to them and avoid direct eye contact.
- If they do not respond to simple conversation, respect their space and leave them alone. Try to give them plenty of physical space.
- If they are crying, let them cry it out without interference. It is a healthy release for human beings to cry. Our son sometimes wails (cries loud and hard)
- Don’t threaten – Those who are mentally ill want to feel safe.
- Don’t criticize
- Don’t argue
- Don’t stand over them
- Don’t block the doorway
- If you are alone, call a family member or a friend to assist
- Anytime a crisis situation escalates to endangering life or illegal activities, immediately call the police and request a CIT (Crisis Intervention Training) officer.
- DO NOT tolerate physical or sexual abuse or destruction
- The above list is not all-inclusive.
The main thing is to stay calm, review the psychosis strategies, and watch for prompts your mentally ill loved one might be trying to communicate to you, and act accordingly.
Physical changes that may occur during psychosis
In addition to becoming familiar with psychosis strategies, it is helpful to recognize possible physical changes that can occur when a person breaks away from reality. In the true story movie, “No Letting Go“, Tim’s mom, Catherine, describes Tim’s episodes to a therapist.
- His eyes change becoming like a different person.- So does my son, Darrell
- Becomes irrational. – So does Darrell
- He misinterprets everything we say. – Darrell too.
- Doesn’t hurt anyone – Darrell too.
- He gets very angry – Darrell too.
- Threatens to kill those around him.
- He breaks a lot of things.
After the rage is over
- When the rage is over, Tim feels terrible. – Sometimes Darrell feels terrible but sometimes he doesn’t remember portions of what happened during an episode.
- Tim talks about dying. My son, Darrell, is also suicidal.
- Catherine expresses that Tim is the sweetest, kindest boy. Darrell is also a loving person with a kind heart.
- The therapist points out Tim is a great boy who doesn’t desire to misbehave. Tim is simply afraid and in pain. This defines Darrell too.
- Tim was taking 30 pills a day. The therapist told Tim’s parents that sometimes a patient doesn’t respond to medication. Everyone is different.
I couldn’t help but notice the many similarities between Tim and my son, Darrell.
My Psychosis Theory
As I pondered about psychosis from both a medical and spiritual perspective, a psychosis theory formulated in my mind. I explain my psychosis theory at the provided link.
Calming Agitated Patients Video
Here are three well-thought-out tips from an adult psychiatrist directed to nurses, but I felt these tips would be helpful to the general population too.
Top Featured Photo by Hailey Kean
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