Jacob86
01-24-2007, 07:09 PM
I've been reading the boards and other web sites, and I think I have a combination of anxiety and OCD. Instead of re-posting what I've said on the anxiety board, I was hoping readers could just hop on over there. Also, I know that there is a strict policy on talking about illeagle drugs, but I was just wondering if marijuana can cause side effects to medication? And if it can cause any of my symptoms.
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steveo23
01-25-2007, 10:50 AM
Jacob
Recreational drugs like you have mentioned are never a good idea when it comes to any kind of mental health problem. Not only may they worsen some conditions like OCD, they can react with medications in very complex ways, either cancelling the effects of medications or causing a spike in symptoms. This was something I learned the hard way when I was a lot younger. It's better to leave your head alone man... your brain is an amazing, yet very delicate piece of hardware.
Marijuana in particular seems to provoke anxiety and panic attacks in some people after chronic use or abuse. It can also cause depression, and contribute to other very serious conditions. Especially these days, as the strength of it has increased drastically over the past few decades. Some people get away with it, others don't... it's best not to gamble with your health. The drug actually causing the symptoms is unlikely. The experts think it may serve to trigger dispositions to mental health problems some people have.
Steve
Recreational drugs like you have mentioned are never a good idea when it comes to any kind of mental health problem. Not only may they worsen some conditions like OCD, they can react with medications in very complex ways, either cancelling the effects of medications or causing a spike in symptoms. This was something I learned the hard way when I was a lot younger. It's better to leave your head alone man... your brain is an amazing, yet very delicate piece of hardware.
Marijuana in particular seems to provoke anxiety and panic attacks in some people after chronic use or abuse. It can also cause depression, and contribute to other very serious conditions. Especially these days, as the strength of it has increased drastically over the past few decades. Some people get away with it, others don't... it's best not to gamble with your health. The drug actually causing the symptoms is unlikely. The experts think it may serve to trigger dispositions to mental health problems some people have.
Steve
moviefan5000
01-25-2007, 09:27 PM
I learned in psych that pot can directly effect anxiety. OCD is an anxiety disorder. SO it is normal that you feel both. Alcohol makes my anxiety/ocd and depression much worse. Tabacco kinda put me on edge too. I quit smoking tabacco. it sucked but i feel better now. Im trying to be healthy and it has helped my symptoms and made me feel good about approaching a bad time with some positive solutions. I hope this helps, and I hope maybe youll try a healthy strategy like myself. It really did help. I used to drink and smoke tabacco a lot, it was fun. i truely feel better though not doing it.
BadMalibu
01-25-2007, 10:14 PM
Jacob-
I agree with Steve and Moviefan. In alot of cases, marijuana and illegal drugs can increase the symptoms of anxiety or OCD. One time before I smoked, I had read a story about a gentleman that smoked marijuana and then went into respitory distress and died. Now while I was stoned, I started thinking about that and it sent me into an anxiety attack.
The brain has so many chemicals in it, and neurologists are still trying to figure out what all of them do. Putting more chemicals into your brain, especially ones that do not naturally occur there, can be a recipe for severe anxiety symptoms.
I know for alot of us it's very tempting to use alcohol or drugs, becuase were willing to try anything to get the thoughts to stop, but there are always better ways to deal with OCD aside from turning to drugs and alcohol.:D
I agree with Steve and Moviefan. In alot of cases, marijuana and illegal drugs can increase the symptoms of anxiety or OCD. One time before I smoked, I had read a story about a gentleman that smoked marijuana and then went into respitory distress and died. Now while I was stoned, I started thinking about that and it sent me into an anxiety attack.
The brain has so many chemicals in it, and neurologists are still trying to figure out what all of them do. Putting more chemicals into your brain, especially ones that do not naturally occur there, can be a recipe for severe anxiety symptoms.
I know for alot of us it's very tempting to use alcohol or drugs, becuase were willing to try anything to get the thoughts to stop, but there are always better ways to deal with OCD aside from turning to drugs and alcohol.:D
Jacob86
01-25-2007, 10:57 PM
all very imformative. I haven't been smoking pot too long and don't do it as much as others that I know of. based on my research, i think i've had OCD/anxiety for maybe 10-15 years. when I was really young I had an imaginary friend with a strange name and I really thought that I was a little crazy. I couldn't really control the things he would say, i would try and bribe him to stop talking.. I don't think it was too serious.. that stopped many years ago though.
another question i have is, do i need to get blood work or a brain scan before I can be prescribed medication? I have an appointment with my family doctor. Is he going to give me some kind of referral, or can this be settled in his office.
another question i have is, do i need to get blood work or a brain scan before I can be prescribed medication? I have an appointment with my family doctor. Is he going to give me some kind of referral, or can this be settled in his office.
BadMalibu
01-26-2007, 02:06 PM
I haven't been smoking pot too long and don't do it as much as others that I know of.
Jacob-
It doesn't matter how much you've been doing it, how little you do it, or how often you do it, you shouldn't take illegal drugs if you're fighting off an anxiety disorder for all the reasons listed above. It's going to make your symptoms worse becuase your brain already has enough chemicals flowing through it and it doesn't need anymore.
From what I've been reading, and I could be wrong, it sounds like you've been a regular pot smoker for some time, and now you realize you have OCD and you're wondering if pot caused OCD. Or, you know you have OCD and you have to go on medication, but don't want to stop smoking pot.
another question i have is, do i need to get blood work or a brain scan before I can be prescribed medication? I have an appointment with my family doctor. Is he going to give me some kind of referral, or can this be settled in his office.
You don't need a brain scan, but I would recommend getting some base line blood work done to make sure your kidneys, liver, and heart are all ok before you go on some sort of medication. It's also important to realize that if you are having symptoms of OCD, this isn't something you can just "clear" up in the doctor's office. I would recommend you ask your doctor for a referal to a cogntive behavioral therapist if you find that your OCD is taking up more than 2-3 hours out of your day, or causing you to distress.
Jacob-
It doesn't matter how much you've been doing it, how little you do it, or how often you do it, you shouldn't take illegal drugs if you're fighting off an anxiety disorder for all the reasons listed above. It's going to make your symptoms worse becuase your brain already has enough chemicals flowing through it and it doesn't need anymore.
From what I've been reading, and I could be wrong, it sounds like you've been a regular pot smoker for some time, and now you realize you have OCD and you're wondering if pot caused OCD. Or, you know you have OCD and you have to go on medication, but don't want to stop smoking pot.
another question i have is, do i need to get blood work or a brain scan before I can be prescribed medication? I have an appointment with my family doctor. Is he going to give me some kind of referral, or can this be settled in his office.
You don't need a brain scan, but I would recommend getting some base line blood work done to make sure your kidneys, liver, and heart are all ok before you go on some sort of medication. It's also important to realize that if you are having symptoms of OCD, this isn't something you can just "clear" up in the doctor's office. I would recommend you ask your doctor for a referal to a cogntive behavioral therapist if you find that your OCD is taking up more than 2-3 hours out of your day, or causing you to distress.
ocdengineer
01-27-2007, 12:32 PM
I totally agree. The pot has got to stop. As I discussed with you before the pot is what caused me to come out of remission from 10 years of OCD free life. All because of one stoned thought. Anyway, 10 years later, I still have OCD and may or may not have had it due to pot, but either way, you have to stop polluting your body if you ever expect to get better. That means alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine, everything. You should probably exercise a few times a week and cognitive behavioral therapy and/or meditation would realy help you as well.
Remember that in order to beat this problem or live comfortably you need to take steps to alter your life. This will not go away otherwise. There is no magic pill and solution. Some meds may help, but none will completely solve your problem. There are many things that need to happen to live comfortably with this dissorder. The above list would be a good start.
I wish you luck,
OE
Remember that in order to beat this problem or live comfortably you need to take steps to alter your life. This will not go away otherwise. There is no magic pill and solution. Some meds may help, but none will completely solve your problem. There are many things that need to happen to live comfortably with this dissorder. The above list would be a good start.
I wish you luck,
OE
Glowering
02-04-2007, 12:42 AM
I don't know
I found that my smoking pot stops me from my ocd disorder; it calms me and relaxes me so that I can do the more important stuff.
So sorry guys I will have to disagree.
yet this is one person's opinion to the ones who have posted before me.
I found that my smoking pot stops me from my ocd disorder; it calms me and relaxes me so that I can do the more important stuff.
So sorry guys I will have to disagree.
yet this is one person's opinion to the ones who have posted before me.
ocdengineer
02-04-2007, 12:02 PM
I guess everyon eis different, but you may find that the effect of that may change over time. It did for me, and eventually led to Pure OCD which may or may not have happened anyway. It was a way of numbing the world a little and I did that all through college. It eventually led to OCD and I have touched it maybe 2-3 times since all with incredible paranoia and anxiety as a result, so don't be surprised if it eventually turns on you later. Just a warning from a friend.
OE
OE