Psychosis is often described as a “break from reality” because it makes you experience or believe things that aren’t real. It can change the way you think, act, or feel. Psychosis is a syndrome—a group of symptoms. Psychosis itself isn’t a disease or disorder—it’s usually a sign that something else is wrong. Treatment for psychosis usually includes...

OCD is an anxiety disorder characterized by uncontrollable, unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and repetitive behaviours (compulsions) you feel you must perform. These obsessions and compulsions interfere with daily activities and cause distress. You may try to ignore or stop the obsessions, but that only increases distress and anxiety. People who have...

Grief is the mix of thoughts, feelings, and actions that happens when we lose something—usually a loved one. Any loss can cause grief, including the loss of a relationship, your health, your job, or a dream. Often, the pain of loss can feel overwhelming. You may experience all kinds of difficult and unexpected emotions—shock, anger, guilt, and...

Dementia is a word that describes a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough that they interfere with your daily life. Though dementia normally involves memory loss, memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia. Dementia is caused by damage to nerve cells and their connections in the brain. Depending...

Depression is a mood disorder that affects the way you feel about yourself, others, and the world around you. Depression can look quite different from one person to the next. While one person might feel very sad and tired, another person might feel angry and restless. Depression (also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression) affects...

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), makes it hard for people to pay attention, concentrate, sit still, or wait their turn. ADHD especially makes it tough to stay on top of complicated tasks that take organization, planning, and focus. Because of this, people with ADHD have a hard time doing their best at school, home, or work. Usually...

Are you, or is someone you’re worried about, a member of the Canadian Forces or the RCMP? There are programs and resources available that were created specifically to address the unique concerns of people in these challenging positions. Veteran Affairs Canada Veteran Affairs Canada offers many programs and services to address the unique burdens...

Delusions are false beliefs that involve a misinterpretation of experiences—for example, someone may believe people are trying to harm them. Paranoia is when someone distrusts others for no perceived reason at all—for example, someone may suspect the motives of those around them. Hallucinations are false or distorted sensory experiences that seem...

Grief is the normal mix of thoughts, feelings, and actions that happens when we lose something—usually a loved one. It’s a natural response to loss. The more significant the loss, the more intense your grief will be. Most people experiencing normal grief and bereavement have a period of sorrow and even guilt or anger. Gradually these feelings ease...