who can relate? - Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Message Board

Jacob86 · 01-24-2007, 04:09 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.

steveo23 · 01-25-2007, 07:50 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

moviefan5000 · 01-25-2007, 06:27 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, 07:14 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.

Jacob86 · 01-25-2007, 07:57 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.