How to tell if you're losing your mind?

What are the red flags for an upcoming psychotic break?
Sometimes—given the intense mental and physical tests I put myself through—it feels like things are starting to slip.
(For instance, right before I drift off after being awake for way too long, I’ll hear this weird, disjointed music playing in my head, or I'll hear someone talking to me. That suppressed rage I struggle to hold back can be a huge issue too—it actually scares me sometimes—not to mention some pretty dark, twisted thoughts.
)
What about those who haven't fully crossed over yet, but have definitely been walking that thin line on the edge of the abyss?

I actually went through this exact thing with music while I was meditating—basically just trying to purge all the absolute garbage from my head.

The first day, it was some kind of synth-pop track playing on the keys

then the second day, it was nothing but drums

...and by the third day, it was full-on jet engines and sirens...

Based on an N=1 sample size here, I’d say you’re probably purging some leaky faucets from your subconscious too, Dennis Hall41.

For me, it was all about those psychedelic, winding—but somehow perfectly circular—melodies that are just impossible to describe as hits. Truly beautiful stuff. It sits right in that sweet spot between Los Angeles, the Malibu, and The Beach Boys.

As for those subconscious triggers, they used to kick in for me thanks to certain substances that were huge with kids back in the day—it was this wild mix of pure paranoia, pessimism, and something straight-up diabolical. A buddy once told me I had this whole Plutonian, demonic vibe going on, but honestly, I didn't really get what he meant until those episodes started happening.

Not really. If you truly "lose your mind," there won't be anyone left to notice the shift... though whatever remains will certainly feel different 😬

Besides, it’s practically impossible to establish a baseline... I mean, what even constitutes a "mind" in this context? 😉

Personally, I started feeling quite unsettled when I realized I no longer viewed the people around me as particularly sane individuals. After spending several years seeking "professional" guidance... my suspicions—or rather, my observations—have actually been validated by science. It really is just a massive collection of lunatics ☕

"I have come here to chew bubblegum..."

And the "leaders" of this mob are all too happy to label free thinkers as irrational, artists as crazies, and anyone who doesn't fit their mold as an outsider 😵... unless, of course, a person believes they haven't lived through enough to tell their own story 🐔