{"id":13734,"date":"2021-04-26T18:24:23","date_gmt":"2021-04-26T22:24:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/?post_type=article&#038;p=13734"},"modified":"2025-06-12T14:51:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T18:51:02","slug":"my-brain-is-playing-tricks-on-me","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/es\/content\/my-brain-is-playing-tricks-on-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Mi cerebro me est\u00e1 jugando una mala pasada."},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"ai-optimize-6 ai-optimize-introduction\">Feeling like \u201cmy brain is playing tricks on me\u201d is a common experience for many people who may be experiencing the early stages of psychosis. Other ways that people describe this feeling are <em>I just don\u2019t feel right in the head, my brain is just broken or weird, or I don\u2019t know what my brain is doing half the time.<\/em><\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-7\">These experiences can be upsetting. And it\u2019s alright to feel confused, sad, angry, frustrated, or even scared. <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/i-feel-out-control\/\">This is out of your \u201cnormal,&#8221;<\/a> and you may not know what to do. And you might question everything because you can\u2019t trust your brain. Or isolate yourself from others because you worry, they might not understand or judge you for experiences out of your control.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-8\">Take a breath. It\u2019s okay. Reflecting on what\u2019s going on can help you find ways to feel more in control of your brain.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ai-optimize-9\">Is it psychosis?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-10\">Psychosis is common: up to 3.5% of people experience these kinds of symptoms. [1] For some people, psychosis can be triggered by major life events such as grief or loss (loss of a relationship, job, home) or other incredibly stressful life circumstances. Lack of sleep can also be a factor in increasing psychosis symptoms. And psychosis can also be a symptom of various mental health conditions, including <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/am-i-depressed-or-just-sad\">depression<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-are-symptoms-ptsd\/\">PTSD<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-is-bipolar-disorder\/\">bipolar disorder,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/mhanational.org\/conditions\/schizophrenia\/\">schizophrenia<\/a>, and others.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-11\">For many people experiencing <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-psychosis\/\"><strong>psychosis<\/strong><\/a>, the feeling of their mind playing tricks on them can be intense. They might <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/i-see-or-hear-things-arent-there\/\"><strong>see or hear things that aren\u2019t there<\/strong><\/a>. They might not be sure what\u2019s real and what\u2019s not. Or they might have a vague sense that things are \u201cweird\u201d or abnormal, <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/why-do-i-have-psychosis\/\">without knowing exactly why<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-12\">Here are some ways that people describe experiencing psychosis:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"ai-optimize-13\">Their minds plays tricks on them [2]<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-14\">Feeling that something odd is going on or there is something wrong that they can\u2019t really explain<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-15\">Being confused about whether something they have experienced is real or imaginary<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-16\">Familiar people or surroundings seem strange, confusing, or unreal\u2014not a part of the living world like they are alien, inhuman, or evil<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-17\">Experiencing time feels different\u2014like time feels unnaturally faster or slower<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-18\">Not feeling in control of their own thoughts or ideas<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"ai-optimize-19\">Their ears play tricks on them [2]<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-20\">Hearing unusual sounds like banging, clicking, hissing, clapping or ringing in their ears<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-21\">Hearing sounds and realizing there is probably nothing there<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-22\">Hearing their thoughts as if they are spoken outside of their head<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-23\">Hearing a voice that others don\u2019t seem to or can\u2019t hear, but the voice sounds clear as if it is speaking to them right now<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"ai-optimize-24\">Their eyes play tricks on them [2]<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-25\">Seeing things that others can\u2019t or don\u2019t seem to see<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-26\">Feeling more sensitive to light or seeing things that appear different in color, brightness, or dullness\u2014like they have changed in some way<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-27\">Seeing unusual things like flashes, flames, vague figures, or shadows out of the corner of their eye<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-28\">Seeing people, animals, or things, but then realizing they may not really be there<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-29\">Psychosis can also affect other senses including touch, taste, and smell, but the list above shows some of the most common. [1] And these symptoms might come and go\u2014meaning you can experience them for a while and then never again. For others, symptoms can stick around, become worse, or become scarier.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-30\">If any of the symptoms above sound like your experiences, then <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/screening-tools\/psychosis\/\">it may be helpful to take our psychosis test<\/a>. While it\u2019s not an official diagnosis, it can help affirm your experiences and decide what steps you want to take to feel better. Remember, that it\u2019s possible to manage and treat psychosis.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ai-optimize-31\">Could it be something else?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-32\">Yes. Your mind can play tricks on you in different ways. Living with a specific mental health condition or experiencing difficult life situations like trauma can make it seem like your brain is playing tricks on you.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-33\">Here are some examples:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-34\">\u00a0<strong>Experiencing trauma and anxiety:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-trauma\/\">When you experience trauma<\/a>, your brain becomes hyper-aware of all the potential dangers around you. You might notice frightening sounds or things moving in the corner of your eye, only to realize when you look closer that it was something harmless, like a leaf blowing in the wind. You might have <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/do-i-have-anxiety\/\">a sense of constant anxiety<\/a>, but you can never really pinpoint what you\u2019re worried about. Anxiety can also draw your attention away from things you normally would have noticed.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-35\"><strong>Experiencing abuse:<\/strong> You may have had a parent or a romantic partner who taught <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-is-gaslighting\/\">you not to trust your own feelings and memories<\/a>. When we\u2019re repeatedly told things like, \u201cThat never happened,\u201d or \u201cWhy are you so upset? It\u2019s not a big deal,\u201d we can start to feel like we\u2019re going crazy.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-36\"><strong>Living with other mental health conditions:<\/strong> People with <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/what-is-depression-really-like\/\">depression<\/a>, anxiety, or <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/do-i-have-adhd\/\">ADHD<\/a> have trouble concentrating and paying attention to things. You might have trouble remembering conversations you\u2019ve had. Or you might find yourself going in circles because you keep forgetting where you were going or what you were trying to do.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-37\">No matter the reason it feels like your mind is playing tricks on you, it\u2019s an uncomfortable feeling. Once you have an idea of what\u2019s happening, you can take steps toward feeling better.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ai-optimize-38\">What happens now?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-39\">Reflecting on your experiences is all a part of figuring out any mental health problem. It\u2019s okay to be curious, build awareness, and educate yourself on what\u2019s happening with you. And it\u2019s okay to lean into what\u2019s going on so you can gain understanding.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-40\">This might look like reading articles, watching videos, or finding things on social media that relate to your experiences. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hearingvoicesusa.org\/\">The Hearing Voices Network<\/a> is a great place to start for people who experience symptoms of psychosis. Also, this can look like keeping track of your symptoms to help monitor whether you feel better or worse. All of this helps you build insight and figure out your next steps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-41\">When you are ready, you can start a conversation with <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/who-can-i-talk-about-my-psychosis\/\">a loved one<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/how-do-i-find-therapist\/\">therapist<\/a>. And many people have also found medication and online support helpful in lessening the intensity of their symptoms. Or mental health lines like hotlines in a crisis, or <a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/content\/need-talk-someone-warmlines\/\">warmlines<\/a> and text lines when you need to talk to someone.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ai-optimize-42\"><a class=\"button blue round caret collapsed\" href=\"#references\" data-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"references\" data-toggle-text=\"Hide References\">Show References<\/a><\/p>\n<div id=\"references\" class=\"references collapse\">\n<ol>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-43\">Calabrese J, Al Khalili Y. ( 2023). <em>Psychosis. <\/em>StatPearls Publishing. <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK546579\/\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK546579\/<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li class=\"ai-optimize-44\">McGlashan, T. H., Walsh, B.C., Woods, S. W., et al. (2014, March 25). Structured Interview for Prodromal Symptoms (SIPS). Retrieved from: <a href=\"https:\/\/easacommunity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/SIPS_5-5_0325141-correct.pdf\">https:\/\/easacommunity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/SIPS_5-5_0325141-correct.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ol>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Feeling like \u201cmy brain is playing tricks on me\u201d is a common experience for many people who may be experiencing the early stages of psychosis. Other ways that people describe this feeling are I just don\u2019t feel right in the head, my brain is just broken or weird, or I don\u2019t know what my brain &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/es\/content\/my-brain-is-playing-tricks-on-me\/\" class=\"more-link\">Seguir leyendo<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;My brain is playing tricks on me&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"template":"","age_group":[23,100,19],"condition":[84,86,89,119],"class_list":["post-13734","article","type-article","status-publish","hentry","age_group-11-17","age_group-over-18","age_group-under-11","condition-bipolar","condition-depression","condition-psychosis","condition-trauma-ptsd"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<title>My brain is playing tricks on me<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/es\/content\/my-brain-is-playing-tricks-on-me\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"es_MX\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"My brain is playing tricks on me\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Feeling like \u201cmy brain is playing tricks on me\u201d is a common experience for many people who may be experiencing the early stages of psychosis. 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