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1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 157 (from laksa053)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa157.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544","crawl_time":1776157234,"first_indexed_time":1656034633,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,verywellmind!www,\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544 s443","src_root_hash":"10064058272378209957","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Does It Mean to Have a Psychotic Break?","meta_descriptions":["A psychotic break occurs when a person loses touch with reality. Learn more about psychotic breaks here."],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Key Takeaways\nA psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress.\nCommon signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions.\nSome research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives.\nLearn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur.\nCauses of a Psychotic Break \nExperts don't fully understand\npsychosis\n, but several factors have emerged as the most likely \ncauses of a psychotic break\n:\nGenetics\n: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as \nschizophrenia\n and \nbipolar disorder\n, you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however.\nPhysical or emotional trauma\n: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks. \nDrug abuse\n: \nAbusing certain drugs\n such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk. \nBrain injuries\n: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis. \nMedical conditions:\nA psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, \nschizoaffective disorder,\n dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. \nStress\n: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis.\nSigns of a Psychotic Break \nA psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include:\n \nDifficulty concentrating \nAn unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work \nNeglecting personal hygiene and self-care \nSelf-isolating \nExperiencing strong emotions \nHaving no emotions \nA psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as \nhallucinations or delusions\n. Examples of hallucinations and delusions include: \nHearing things that aren’t there \nSeeing things that no one else can see \nBelieving that you have special powers \nBelieving that external forces are controlling you \nOther symptoms include: \nSpeaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly \nHaving severe mood swings \nHaving anxiety \nBecoming even more isolated \nBehaving inappropriately \nHaving disordered thoughts \nDuring a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs.\nTreatment for a Psychotic Break \nTreatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause.\nMedication \nSeveral\nantipsychotic medications\n have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis.\nSerotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role. \nAntipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed \natypical antipsychotics\n include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone),\nZyprexa (olanzapine)\n, Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone).\nPsychotherapy \nPsychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break:\nCognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)\n:\nCBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind. \nFamily therapy\n:\nA psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better. \nHow to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break \nWitnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial.\nAlthough a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and\nneed your support\n.\n9 Sources\nVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our\neditorial process\nto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.\nNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).\nFact sheet: first-episode psychosis\n.\nNational Library of Medicine.\nPsychosis\n. October 5, 2020\nSmeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P.\nEvidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation.\nSchizophrenia Bulletin\n. 2015;41(3):687-697.\nNational Alliance on Mental Illness\n. Early psychosis and psychosis.\nByrne P.\nManaging the acute psychotic episode.\nBMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692.\nBrisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al.\nThe role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue.\nFrontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5.\nChokhawala K, Stevens L.\nAntipsychotic medications\n. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.\nNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).\nUnderstanding psychosis\n.\nNational Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).\nFact sheet: first-episode psychosis.\nBy\nToketemu Ohwovoriole\nToketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.\nWas this page helpful?\nThanks for your feedback!\nWhat is your feedback?","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to content](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#skip-to-content)\n\nMenu\n\n- [Conditions A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n  - [Addiction](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/addiction-overview-4581803)\n  - [Depression](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/depression-4157261)\n  - [ADHD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/adhd-overview-4581801)\n  - [Anxiety](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/anxiety-7508391)\n  - [Bipolar Disorder](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/bipolar-disorder-4157274)\n  - [PTSD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/ptsd-4157229)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n- [Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-4581775)\n  - [Therapy Center](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-7092217)\n  - 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[Types of Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-to-choose-the-best-type-of-therapy-for-you-6500320)\n  - [Best Online Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/best-online-therapy-4691206)\n  - [Best Couples Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/best-online-marriage-counseling-4691952)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-4581775)\n- [Living Well](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/living-well-7510832)\n  - [Managing Stress](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/stress-management-overview-4581770)\n  - [Meditation](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/meditation-and-mindfulness-4581783)\n  - [Sleep and Dreaming](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/sleep-and-dreaming-4157166)\n  - [Understanding Emotions](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/emotions-4157165)\n  - [Self-Improvement](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/self-improvement-4157212)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/living-well-7510832)\n- [Relationships](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/relationships-4157190)\n  - [Healthy Relationships](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/strengthening-relationships-4162997)\n  - [Dating](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/dating-tips-and-strategies-7511571)\n  - [Intimacy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/sex-and-relationships-7511610)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/relationships-4157190)\n- [Psychology](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychology-4157187)\n  - [Theories](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/theories-of-psychology-4157184)\n  - [Student Resources](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/student-resources-overview-4581768)\n  - [Personality Types](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-myers-briggs-type-indicator-2795583)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychology-4157187)\n- [Trending](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/news-latest-research-and-trending-topics-4846421)\n  - [Quizzes](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/quizzes-8609222)\n  - [Guided Meditations](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/guided-meditations-8609227)\n  - [Verywell Mind Insights](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/mental-health-data-insights-5185693)\n  - [2024 Verywell Mind 25](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/the-verywell-mind-25-2024-7484480)\n  - [Mental Health in the Classroom](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/mental-health-in-the-classroom-survey-7569880)\n  - [View All](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/news-latest-research-and-trending-topics-4846421)\n\n[More in Schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/schizophrenia-4157221)\n\n- [Symptoms and Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/schizophrenia-symptoms-and-diagnosis-7508393)\n- [Living With](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/living-with-schizophrenia-7508398)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/schizophrenia-treatment-7508395)\n\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/about-us-5184564)\n- [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n- [Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n- [Crisis Support](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/crisis-support-6666353)\n\nVerywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\n# What Does It Mean to Have a Psychotic Break?\nBy\n\n[Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111)\n\n![Toketemu Ohwovoriole]()\n\n![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/LTN6UoO5zsKmhI-g_KKxJGKMMeM=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg)\n\n[Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111)\n\nToketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.\n\nLearn about our  [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n\nUpdated on November 12, 2025\n\nMedically reviewed\n\nVerywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. [Learn more](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494).\n\nby\n\n[Daniel B. Block, MD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/daniel-block-md-4779186)\n\n![Block]()\n\n![Block](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/bqppKq4IVUTVsPMClzJADd5fs14=\/200x200\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/block-8924ca72ff94426d940e8f7e639e3942.jpg)\n\nMedically reviewed by [Daniel B. Block, MD](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/daniel-block-md-4779186)\n\nDaniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania.\n\nLearn about our  [Medical Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n\n![person isolating in COVID quarantine](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/PecAgla3Aa7HxtwKk6-YpezDRbM=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-1212696993-4f7c76d4a8854604a9e55a6dde150423.jpg)\n\n![person isolating in COVID quarantine](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/PecAgla3Aa7HxtwKk6-YpezDRbM=\/1500x0\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-1212696993-4f7c76d4a8854604a9e55a6dde150423.jpg)\n\nMarco\\_Piunti \/ Getty Images\n\nTable of Contents\n\nView All\n\nTable of Contents\n\n- [Causes](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-causes-of-a-psychotic-break)\n- [Signs](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-signs-of-a-psychotic-break)\n- [Treatment](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-treatment-for-a-psychotic-break)\n- [Supporting Someone](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-how-to-help-someone-having-a-psychotic-break)\n\nClose\n\n### Key Takeaways\n- A psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress.\n- Common signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions.\n\nSome research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur.\n\n## Causes of a Psychotic Break\nExperts don't fully understand [psychosis](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828), but several factors have emerged as the most likely [causes of a psychotic break](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893):\n\n- **Genetics**: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as [schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-schizophrenia-2953120) and [bipolar disorder](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-and-diagnosis-379962), you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however.\n- **Physical or emotional trauma**: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks.\n- **Drug abuse**: [Abusing certain drugs](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/substance-use-4014640) such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk.\n- **Brain injuries**: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis.\n- **Medical conditions:** A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, [schizoaffective disorder,](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-schizoaffective-disorder-4171702) dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.\n- **Stress**: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis.\n\n[What Does It Mean to Have a Psychotic Break?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893)\n\n## Signs of a Psychotic Break\nA psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include:\n\n- Difficulty concentrating\n- An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work\n- Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care\n- Self-isolating\n- Experiencing strong emotions\n- Having no emotions\n\nA psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as [hallucinations or delusions](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/delusions-vs-hallucinations-types-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5270271). Examples of hallucinations and delusions include:\n\n- Hearing things that aren’t there\n- Seeing things that no one else can see\n- Believing that you have special powers\n- Believing that external forces are controlling you\n\nOther symptoms include:\n\n- Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly\n- Having severe mood swings\n- Having anxiety\n- Becoming even more isolated\n- Behaving inappropriately\n- Having disordered thoughts\n\nDuring a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs.\n\n[What Is Psychosis?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828)\n\n## Treatment for a Psychotic Break\nTreatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause.\n\n### Medication\nSeveral [antipsychotic medications](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/typical-antipsychotics-380199) have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role.\n\nAntipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed [atypical antipsychotics](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/atypical-antipsychotics-379663) include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), *Zyprexa (olanzapine)*, Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone).\n\n### Psychotherapy\nPsychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break:\n\n- **[Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747):** CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind.\n- **[Family therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/family-therapy-definition-types-techniques-and-efficacy-5190233):** A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better.\n\n[How to Choose the Best Type of Therapy for You, According to a Therapist](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/how-to-choose-the-best-type-of-therapy-for-you-6500320)\n\n## How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break\nWitnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial.\n\nAlthough a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and [need your support](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/types-of-social-support-3144960).\n\nRead more:\n\n- [Conditions A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n- [Schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/schizophrenia-4157221)\n- [Symptoms and Diagnosis](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/schizophrenia-symptoms-and-diagnosis-7508393)\n\n9 Sources\n\nVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.\n\n1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/schizophrenia\/raise\/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis).\n2. National Library of Medicine. [Psychosis](https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/001553.htm). October 5, 2020\n3. Smeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P. [Evidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/schbul\/sbu122) *Schizophrenia Bulletin*. 2015;41(3):687-697.\n4. National Alliance on Mental Illness[. Early psychosis and psychosis.](https:\/\/www.nami.org\/About-Mental-Illness\/Mental-Health-Conditions\/Psychosis)\n5. Byrne P. [Managing the acute psychotic episode.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1839209\/) BMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692.\n6. Brisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al. [The role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2014.00047) Frontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5.\n7. Chokhawala K, Stevens L. [Antipsychotic medications](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK519503\/). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.\n8. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Understanding psychosis](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/understanding-psychosis).\n9. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis.](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/schizophrenia\/raise\/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis)\n\n![Toketemu Ohwovoriole]()\n\n![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/LPUzIcWlfx-9i-t3KdsIU842SvM=\/144x144\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg)\n\nBy [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111)   \n Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.\n\n[See Our Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n\n[Meet Our Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n\nShare Feedback\n\nWas this page helpful?\n\nThanks for your feedback\\!\n\nWhat is your feedback?\n\nHelpful\n\nReport an Error\n\nOther\n\nRelated Articles\n\n[![Anxious Arabic woman feel unhappy thinking at home]() ![Anxious Arabic woman feel unhappy thinking at home](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/NYcvNMlJykMyNEOYwAaYUgOO9t8=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-1267716518-3054f28e0d104798a8861409c6f35596.jpg) Delusions versus Hallucinations: What Are the Differences?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/delusions-vs-hallucinations-types-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5270271)\n\n[![Young man sitting on bed]() ![Young man sitting on 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scared.](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/4yICKzk7yXiXh6phTzMAvoqvum0=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/GettyImages-487729535-5c23f925c9e77c000123094e.jpg) What Is Disorganized Schizophrenia?](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/an-overview-of-disorganized-schizophrenia-4581314)\n\n[![woman looking at sunset]() ![woman looking at sunset](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/Q9c4pSMbOEa7waopYOXJefIiVys=\/400x250\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/iStock-492776144-59bc25fdaf5d3a0010954593.jpg) Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/negative-symptoms-in-schizophrenia-2953123)\n\n- [Conditions A-Z](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/conditions-a-z-4797402)\n- [Therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/therapy-4581775)\n- [Living Well](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/living-well-7510832)\n- [Relationships](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/relationships-4157190)\n- [Psychology](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychology-4157187)\n- [Trending](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/news-latest-research-and-trending-topics-4846421)\n\n- [Meet Our Review Board](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/review-board-4796494)\n- [About Us](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/about-us-5184564)\n- [Editorial Process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006)\n- [Privacy Policy](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-privacy)\n- [In the News](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/in-the-news-4782525)\n- [Advertise](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/advertising)\n- [Terms of Service](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/brands-termsofservice)\n- [Careers](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/careers)\n- [Contact](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/about-us-5184564#toc-contact-us)\n- [Crisis Support](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/crisis-support-6666353)\n\nFollow Us\n\nVerywell Mind's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.\n\nⒸ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved\n\nVerywell Mind is part of the [People Inc.](https:\/\/www.people.inc\/) publishing family.","attrs_readable_markdown":"### Key Takeaways\n- A psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress.\n- Common signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions.\n\nSome research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur.\n\n## Causes of a Psychotic Break\nExperts don't fully understand [psychosis](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828), but several factors have emerged as the most likely [causes of a psychotic break](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893):\n\n- **Genetics**: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as [schizophrenia](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-are-the-symptoms-of-schizophrenia-2953120) and [bipolar disorder](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-and-diagnosis-379962), you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however.\n- **Physical or emotional trauma**: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks.\n- **Drug abuse**: [Abusing certain drugs](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/substance-use-4014640) such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk.\n- **Brain injuries**: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis.\n- **Medical conditions:** A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, [schizoaffective disorder,](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-schizoaffective-disorder-4171702) dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.\n- **Stress**: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis.\n## Signs of a Psychotic Break\nA psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include:\n\n- Difficulty concentrating\n- An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work\n- Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care\n- Self-isolating\n- Experiencing strong emotions\n- Having no emotions\n\nA psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as [hallucinations or delusions](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/delusions-vs-hallucinations-types-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5270271). Examples of hallucinations and delusions include:\n\n- Hearing things that aren’t there\n- Seeing things that no one else can see\n- Believing that you have special powers\n- Believing that external forces are controlling you\n\nOther symptoms include:\n\n- Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly\n- Having severe mood swings\n- Having anxiety\n- Becoming even more isolated\n- Behaving inappropriately\n- Having disordered thoughts\n\nDuring a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs.\n\n## Treatment for a Psychotic Break\nTreatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause.\n\n### Medication\nSeveral [antipsychotic medications](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/typical-antipsychotics-380199) have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role.\n\nAntipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed [atypical antipsychotics](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/atypical-antipsychotics-379663) include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), *Zyprexa (olanzapine)*, Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone).\n\n### Psychotherapy\nPsychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break:\n\n- **[Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747):** CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind.\n- **[Family therapy](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/family-therapy-definition-types-techniques-and-efficacy-5190233):** A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better.\n## How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break\nWitnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial.\n\nAlthough a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and [need your support](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/types-of-social-support-3144960).\n\n9 Sources\n\nVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.\n\n1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/schizophrenia\/raise\/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis).\n2. National Library of Medicine. [Psychosis](https:\/\/medlineplus.gov\/ency\/article\/001553.htm). October 5, 2020\n3. Smeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P. [Evidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/schbul\/sbu122) *Schizophrenia Bulletin*. 2015;41(3):687-697.\n4. National Alliance on Mental Illness[. Early psychosis and psychosis.](https:\/\/www.nami.org\/About-Mental-Illness\/Mental-Health-Conditions\/Psychosis)\n5. Byrne P. [Managing the acute psychotic episode.](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC1839209\/) BMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692.\n6. Brisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al. [The role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue.](https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2014.00047) Frontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5.\n7. Chokhawala K, Stevens L. [Antipsychotic medications](https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK519503\/). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.\n8. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Understanding psychosis](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/understanding-psychosis).\n9. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis.](https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/topics\/schizophrenia\/raise\/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis)\n\n![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/thmb\/LPUzIcWlfx-9i-t3KdsIU842SvM=\/144x144\/filters:no_upscale\\(\\):max_bytes\\(150000\\):strip_icc\\(\\)\/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg)\n\nBy [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https:\/\/www.verywellmind.com\/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111)   \n Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics.\n\nWas this page helpful?\n\nThanks for your feedback\\!\n\nWhat is your feedback?","meta_canonical":null}

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Boilerpipe Text	Key Takeaways A psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress. Common signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions. Some research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur. Causes of a Psychotic Break Experts don't fully understand psychosis , but several factors have emerged as the most likely causes of a psychotic break : Genetics : If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder , you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however. Physical or emotional trauma : A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks. Drug abuse : Abusing certain drugs such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk. Brain injuries : After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis. Medical conditions: A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, schizoaffective disorder, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. Stress : The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis. Signs of a Psychotic Break A psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include: Difficulty concentrating An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care Self-isolating Experiencing strong emotions Having no emotions A psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as hallucinations or delusions . Examples of hallucinations and delusions include: Hearing things that aren’t there Seeing things that no one else can see Believing that you have special powers Believing that external forces are controlling you Other symptoms include: Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly Having severe mood swings Having anxiety Becoming even more isolated Behaving inappropriately Having disordered thoughts During a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs. Treatment for a Psychotic Break Treatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause. Medication Several antipsychotic medications have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role. Antipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine) , Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone). Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) : CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind. Family therapy : A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better. How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break Witnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial. Although a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and need your support . 9 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis . National Library of Medicine. Psychosis . October 5, 2020 Smeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P. Evidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation. Schizophrenia Bulletin . 2015;41(3):687-697. National Alliance on Mental Illness . Early psychosis and psychosis. Byrne P. Managing the acute psychotic episode. BMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692. Brisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al. The role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue. Frontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5. Chokhawala K, Stevens L. Antipsychotic medications . In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Understanding psychosis . National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis. By Toketemu Ohwovoriole Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. 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Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Ⓒ 2026 People Inc. — All rights reserved # What Does It Mean to Have a Psychotic Break? By [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111) ![Toketemu Ohwovoriole]() ![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/LTN6UoO5zsKmhI-g_KKxJGKMMeM=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg) [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111) Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. Learn about our [editorial process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) Updated on November 12, 2025 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. [Learn more](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494). by [Daniel B. Block, MD](https://www.verywellmind.com/daniel-block-md-4779186) ![Block]() ![Block](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/bqppKq4IVUTVsPMClzJADd5fs14=/200x200/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/block-8924ca72ff94426d940e8f7e639e3942.jpg) Medically reviewed by [Daniel B. Block, MD](https://www.verywellmind.com/daniel-block-md-4779186) Daniel B. Block, MD, is an award-winning, board-certified psychiatrist who operates a private practice in Pennsylvania. Learn about our [Medical Review Board](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494) ![person isolating in COVID quarantine](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/PecAgla3Aa7HxtwKk6-YpezDRbM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/GettyImages-1212696993-4f7c76d4a8854604a9e55a6dde150423.jpg) ![person isolating in COVID quarantine](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/PecAgla3Aa7HxtwKk6-YpezDRbM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/GettyImages-1212696993-4f7c76d4a8854604a9e55a6dde150423.jpg) Marco\_Piunti / Getty Images Table of Contents View All Table of Contents - [Causes](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-causes-of-a-psychotic-break) - [Signs](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-signs-of-a-psychotic-break) - [Treatment](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-treatment-for-a-psychotic-break) - [Supporting Someone](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-psychotic-break-causes-symptoms-treatment-support-5270544#toc-how-to-help-someone-having-a-psychotic-break) Close ### Key Takeaways - A psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress. - Common signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions. Some research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur. ## Causes of a Psychotic Break Experts don't fully understand [psychosis](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828), but several factors have emerged as the most likely [causes of a psychotic break](https://www.verywellmind.com/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893): - Genetics: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as [schizophrenia](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-schizophrenia-2953120) and [bipolar disorder](https://www.verywellmind.com/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-and-diagnosis-379962), you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however. - Physical or emotional trauma: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks. - Drug abuse: [Abusing certain drugs](https://www.verywellmind.com/substance-use-4014640) such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk. - Brain injuries: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis. - Medical conditions: A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, [schizoaffective disorder,](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-schizoaffective-disorder-4171702) dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. - Stress: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis. [What Does It Mean to Have a Psychotic Break?](https://www.verywellmind.com/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893) ## Signs of a Psychotic Break A psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include: - Difficulty concentrating - An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work - Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care - Self-isolating - Experiencing strong emotions - Having no emotions A psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as [hallucinations or delusions](https://www.verywellmind.com/delusions-vs-hallucinations-types-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5270271). Examples of hallucinations and delusions include: - Hearing things that aren’t there - Seeing things that no one else can see - Believing that you have special powers - Believing that external forces are controlling you Other symptoms include: - Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly - Having severe mood swings - Having anxiety - Becoming even more isolated - Behaving inappropriately - Having disordered thoughts During a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs. [What Is Psychosis?](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828) ## Treatment for a Psychotic Break Treatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause. ### Medication Several [antipsychotic medications](https://www.verywellmind.com/typical-antipsychotics-380199) have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role. Antipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed [atypical antipsychotics](https://www.verywellmind.com/atypical-antipsychotics-379663) include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone). ### Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break: - [Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747): CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind. - [Family therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/family-therapy-definition-types-techniques-and-efficacy-5190233): A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better. [How to Choose the Best Type of Therapy for You, According to a Therapist](https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-choose-the-best-type-of-therapy-for-you-6500320) ## How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break Witnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial. Although a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and [need your support](https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-social-support-3144960). Read more: - [Conditions A-Z](https://www.verywellmind.com/conditions-a-z-4797402) - [Schizophrenia](https://www.verywellmind.com/schizophrenia-4157221) - [Symptoms and Diagnosis](https://www.verywellmind.com/schizophrenia-symptoms-and-diagnosis-7508393) 9 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis). 2. National Library of Medicine. [Psychosis](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001553.htm). October 5, 2020 3. Smeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P. [Evidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation.](https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbu122) Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2015;41(3):687-697. 4. National Alliance on Mental Illness[. Early psychosis and psychosis.](https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Psychosis) 5. Byrne P. [Managing the acute psychotic episode.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1839209/) BMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692. 6. Brisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al. [The role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue.](https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2014.00047) Frontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5. 7. Chokhawala K, Stevens L. [Antipsychotic medications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519503/). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. 8. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Understanding psychosis](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis). 9. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis.](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis) ![Toketemu Ohwovoriole]() ![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/LPUzIcWlfx-9i-t3KdsIU842SvM=/144x144/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg) By [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111) Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. [See Our Editorial Process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) [Meet Our Review Board](https://www.verywellmind.com/review-board-4796494) Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback\! What is your feedback? 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Readable Markdown	### Key Takeaways - A psychotic break makes a person lose touch with reality and can be caused by genetics, trauma, drugs, or stress. - Common signs of a psychotic break include seeing things that aren't there and having strong or no emotions. Some research shows that 3 in 100 people will experience a psychotic break at some point in their lives. Learn about the causes, signs, and treatment of psychotic breaks to recognize when they occur. ## Causes of a Psychotic Break Experts don't fully understand [psychosis](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-psychosis-p2-379828), but several factors have emerged as the most likely [causes of a psychotic break](https://www.verywellmind.com/psychosis-causes-and-risk-factors-5221893): - Genetics: If you have a family history of psychosis or conditions linked to psychosis, such as [schizophrenia](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-schizophrenia-2953120) and [bipolar disorder](https://www.verywellmind.com/bipolar-disorder-symptoms-and-diagnosis-379962), you are more likely to have a psychotic break than others. This does not mean you'll necessarily develop the condition, however. - Physical or emotional trauma: A traumatic event can trigger a psychotic break, especially in people who are already genetically predisposed to developing psychotic breaks. - Drug abuse: [Abusing certain drugs](https://www.verywellmind.com/substance-use-4014640) such as amphetamines and alcohol can increase your risk. - Brain injuries: After a traumatic brain injury, be on the lookout for early signs of psychosis. - Medical conditions: A psychotic break is sometimes a sign of a mental health condition such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Other medical conditions linked to psychosis include depression, [schizoaffective disorder,](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-schizoaffective-disorder-4171702) dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. - Stress: The likelihood of a psychotic break increases if the person has other risk factors for psychosis. ## Signs of a Psychotic Break A psychotic break can happen suddenly and frighten both the person and the people around them. Some of the most common early symptoms of a psychotic break include: - Difficulty concentrating - An unexplainable drop in grades or performance at work - Neglecting personal hygiene and self-care - Self-isolating - Experiencing strong emotions - Having no emotions A psychotic break often produces symptoms that can be classified as [hallucinations or delusions](https://www.verywellmind.com/delusions-vs-hallucinations-types-causes-diagnosis-and-treatment-5270271). Examples of hallucinations and delusions include: - Hearing things that aren’t there - Seeing things that no one else can see - Believing that you have special powers - Believing that external forces are controlling you Other symptoms include: - Speaking irregularly, this could either be too quickly or too slowly - Having severe mood swings - Having anxiety - Becoming even more isolated - Behaving inappropriately - Having disordered thoughts During a hallucination, a person sees, hears, or otherwise experiences things that aren't there or that are distorted; Someone with delusions has erroneous or irrational beliefs. ## Treatment for a Psychotic Break Treatment for a psychotic break typically involves a combination of medications and psychotherapy, depending on the severity of the psychosis and the underlying cause. ### Medication Several [antipsychotic medications](https://www.verywellmind.com/typical-antipsychotics-380199) have been developed for the treatment of psychosis. Antipsychotics aim to regulate dopamine in your brain. Dopamine plays a prominent role in triggering psychosis. Serotonin can also be involved. Glutamate and the NMDA receptor are also thought to play an important role. Antipsychotics could either be first-generation (sometimes called typical) or second-generation (sometimes called atypical). Second-generation antipsychotics include drugs like Haldol (haloperidol), Prolixin (fluphenazine), Stelazine (trifluoperazine), and Loxitane (loxapine). Commonly prescribed [atypical antipsychotics](https://www.verywellmind.com/atypical-antipsychotics-379663) include Abilify (aripiprazole), Invega (paliperidone), Zyprexa (olanzapine), Seroquel (quetiapine), and Risperdal (risperidone). ### Psychotherapy Psychotherapy is often recommended in combination with medication for the treatment of psychosis. The following forms of psychotherapy have proven to be effective in treating a psychotic break: - [Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)](https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-cognitive-behavior-therapy-2795747): CBT is often the first point of call when using therapy to treat several mental health conditions. During CBT, you’ll be taught to understand what’s happening to you during a psychotic break better. You’ll also be equipped with techniques to help you prevent or manage symptoms of a psychotic break, such as reducing mental stress and taking better care of your body and mind. - [Family therapy](https://www.verywellmind.com/family-therapy-definition-types-techniques-and-efficacy-5190233): A psychotic break affects not just you but the people around you too. Family therapy is recommended to help your loved ones understand what’s going on with you and how best to help you during a psychotic break. The care and support of your loved ones during and after a psychotic break can help you cope with your condition better. ## How to Help Someone Having a Psychotic Break Witnessing someone experience a psychotic break can be frightening. They are likely to do or say things that are out of character and could be hurtful to you. However, your support through and after the episode is crucial. Although a person experiencing a psychotic break might behave oddly, remember that they are not in control of their behavior and [need your support](https://www.verywellmind.com/types-of-social-support-3144960). 9 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our [editorial process](https://www.verywellmind.com/our-editorial-process-4778006) to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. 1. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis). 2. National Library of Medicine. [Psychosis](https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001553.htm). October 5, 2020 3. Smeets F, Lataster T, Viechtbauer W, Delespaul P, G.R.O.U.P. [Evidence that environmental and genetic risks for psychotic disorder may operate by impacting on connections between core symptoms of perceptual alteration and delusional ideation.](https://doi.org/10.1093/schbul/sbu122) Schizophrenia Bulletin. 2015;41(3):687-697. 4. National Alliance on Mental Illness[. Early psychosis and psychosis.](https://www.nami.org/About-Mental-Illness/Mental-Health-Conditions/Psychosis) 5. Byrne P. [Managing the acute psychotic episode.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1839209/) BMJ. 2007;334(7595):686-692. 6. Brisch R, Saniotis A, Wolf R, et al. [The role of dopamine in schizophrenia from a neurobiological and evolutionary perspective: old fashioned, but still in vogue.](https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffpsyt.2014.00047) Frontiers Psychiatry. 2014;5. 7. Chokhawala K, Stevens L. [Antipsychotic medications](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519503/). In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022. 8. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Understanding psychosis](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/understanding-psychosis). 9. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). [Fact sheet: first-episode psychosis.](https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/schizophrenia/raise/fact-sheet-first-episode-psychosis) ![Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/thmb/LPUzIcWlfx-9i-t3KdsIU842SvM=/144x144/filters:no_upscale\(\):max_bytes\(150000\):strip_icc\(\)/Toketemu-Ohwovoriole-1000-square-5193e68cd04a44ff90726e2537f8aa99.jpg) By [Toketemu Ohwovoriole](https://www.verywellmind.com/toketemu-ohwovoriole-5082111) Toketemu has been multimedia storyteller for the last four years. Her expertise focuses primarily on mental wellness and women’s health topics. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback\! What is your feedback?
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