The Trajectory of Broken: Understanding Mental State Breakdowns

It's a universally recognized fact that each individual's mental state can reach a breaking point. While most people may experience a temporary disruption that resolves within a few days, the worst-case scenario involves conditions like C-PTSD. A mind shaken to its core is often a mind that has experienced severe trauma, leaving a lasting impact.

When the Mind is Shaken to Its Core

There are several conditions that can significantly impair one's mental state, rendering them almost "broken." Catatonia, psychosis, and delusions are a few of the most extreme forms. Each of these conditions can lead to a complete cessation of rational thought and an immersion in a distorted reality.

Catatonia: A Mind That Stands Still

My personal experience with catatonia came just once, thankfully. During this episode, my mind had shut down entirely. I lost all ability to feel emotions, think rationally, speak, or process information. I sat, staring blankly, as if in a trance, completely unresponsive to those around me. Catching a glimpse of my personal account can provide a clearer picture of the surreal experience of catatonia: [Read more here]

Psychosis: Living in a Different Reality

Psychotic episodes, particularly during manic phases, can be incredibly disorienting. My experiences with psychosis involved living in a fabricated reality where I perceived sensory inputs that others could not. I saw things on TV that nobody else could see, and people on these shows would speak directly to me. I believed in the existence of colored blobs that danced around me, and it felt like I was one of those blobs, moving with them.

Delusions: A Reality That Needs Bleach

Delusions can be equally ominous. During one instance, I was convinced that a bar of chocolate I had eaten was infested with eggs from people-killing flies. These flies were incubating inside of me, using me as a carrier to infect the whole country. I could hear them buzzing inside me, and they directed me on which towns they were flying to for their nefarious purposes. I believed that the only way to save the country was to ingest bleach to eliminate the threat. My mental state was so compromised that my life was at stake.

Breaking Down the Breakdowns

These are the moments in my life when I concluded that my mental state had completely broken down, and I was detached from reality. Thankfully, with appropriate treatment over time, I was nursed back to health. Though I will never forget these harrowing experiences, they serve as a testament to the importance of mental health awareness and support.

It is certain that bad things have a profound effect on one's mental state. Just as it would sound absurd to claim that being in a cage does not affect the mind, it is undeniably true that traumatic experiences can leave a lasting impact. So, the next time you or someone you know is feeling 'broken'—know that help is available, and healing is possible.

[Read more about the experience of being catatonic here]