In this 8 week course, that I attend...a lady informed us, of her brother (having BPD) had a psychotic break. She further stated, "From the break...up to his death, he was never the same!" Not having much knowledge about this, did some research. I limited my research...to avoid information overload. Intriguing subject...entertaining, as I learn...I keep question myself...did I have one or more of these "breaks". After excessive mental gymnastics & picturing myself as a dog...chasing his tail...I order myself to quite torturing myself. Dam I must of mistook myself, for someone that gives a shit. Below is a short definition & below definition, is URL of a more comprehensive explanation. If interested...dive in...the water is turbulent...JB (Bob)
A psychotic break is a (layman's) term used to describe the first time that a person experiences an episode of primary psychosis. Many different kinds of psychoactive drugs are known to cause psychotic breaks. Examples are LSD, dextromethorphan (in higher doses), PCP, and opiates (mainly from experiencing withdrawal symptoms), though pretty much anything else can cause temporary psychosis depending on the morals of the individual. Simply feelings of fear, abandonment, or guilt can cause an individual to suffer from temporary psychosis. Symptoms of psychotic breaks vary greatly, usually depending on the circumstances of diagnosis or any contributary substance ingested. Symptoms can range from harmless, sometimes unnoticed delusions, to violent outbursts and major depression.
Psychiatrists may informally use the term "psychotic break" in hindsight to describe the first episode of psychosis in a patient who has been diagnosed with the chronic condition of schizophrenia.
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080503072621AADviD5 
