Youth Addiction and Mental Health

Psychosis Awareness

Our brain can play tricks on us. Sometimes these can be serious.

What is Pyschosis?

Psychosis is a medical condition where a person's brain isn't working properly. This makes it hard to tell what’s real and what’s not real:

How the person sees or perceives things changes, making things that aren’t real seem real.
It may include seeing, hearing, feeling smelling, or tasting things that aren’t really there
Thinking becomes mixed up and the person starts to have thoughts and ideas that just aren’t realistic. There may be a false belief in something that’s impossible or unbelievably strange.
Feelings and emotions towards self, others, or the world in general change or become exaggerated. The person may feel that someone’s out to hurt them, when it’s not true.
The change in reality may make the person begin to feel panicked, afraid, and anxious.

If you’re worried about some experiences you've been having, take a few minutes to check out Psychosis: What to Look For if something is going on.

Current as of: March 15, 2016

Author: Youth and Mental Health, Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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