How to Manage a Psychotic Break | Schizophrenia

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If you're a person with schizophrenia and you're having a psychotic episode, well, the first thing to ask yourself is, do you think you're at danger of hurting someone or hurting yourself. If you are, then the answer is, call 9-1-1, get help for yourself right away.

If that's not the case, and for the majority of psychotic episodes, that's not the case, then you need to reach out to your treatment provider. Maybe the medication you're on isn't working or maybe you've been off medication for a while and you could consider restarting.

But, knowing what are the things that trigger your illness, and what are the things that are the first symptoms of your illness are really important so that you can nip this in the bud. You learn that over time, that when you, for instance, start having trouble sleeping, that may be a sign that you need to do something differently to prevent having a psychotic episode.

Taking very good care of yourself. So, sleeping regular hours, eating healthy, doing regular physical activity, having social contacts and support, those are things you can do when you're starting to recognize there's going to be a relapse coming, a psychotic break coming, and you need to nip this in the bud. And, if you use substances, stopping those and getting treatment for your substance use issues is key to preventing relapse as well.

So, if you're having a psychotic break, seek help. I think that's the most important thing.