Talking to my shrink...

[ftr]

On a friend's suggestion, I have been contemplating the possibility of MMJ for my anxiety and bipolar disorders. I've never smoked or used any non prescription drug, and I don't drink at all. I can't get a card in my state for my conditions, and I'm wondering if there would be any point in asking my shrink about his opinions on marijuana use. I'd phrase the question that it was a friend's idea and I don't know what to think. So far he seems to like prescribing lots of drugs (up to 4 but now I'm back to 3 because I refuse to take Zoloft due to side effects). Since I couldn't use MMJ legally, would he be likely to give a real opinion on it, or just say what he's "supposed" to say? And if so, would I be better off pursuing this on my own and never telling him?

ftr

[tharedhead]

He'll most likely say what he is supposed to say, for legal reasons. You can bring it up to him as an abstract theory sort of thing. Prehaps ask him what he thinks of this article, since it only semi-demonizes cannabis. Then, if he seems OK, cut him loose with some Granny Storm Crow list fully positive articles ("boil them slow")
How cannabis holds an unlikely way to treat schizophrenia - Times Online

In the research, which will be presented at the Institute of Psychiatry’s international conference on cannabis and mental health, Dr Leweke investigated the effects of CBD on 42 patients with acute schizophrenia. Some were given CBD, while others received a standard anti-psychotic drug called amisulpride. Both groups had fewer psychotic symptoms, but the CBD group also experienced fewer side-effects. Common side-effects of amisulpride include weight gain, sexual dys-function and liver problems

[cball]

My "shrink" went into a lecture about how dangerous MJ is when when I first started to see her, how people die from overdosing on it, how it supports terrorist and cartels...then for the first time I heard a new spin of propaganda...that pot alters your genetics...but was unable to show any proof, only the fed propaganda (old stuff with a new spin at times, but still nothing but lies)


When I gave her some info on Missouri's mmj bill that is sitting in the states house of reps, she was surprised...and then I gave her some print-outs from Granny Storm Crows list, now she has accepted that mj is not dangerous as she was led to believe, or at least not compared to the pharmaceuticals she can legally prescribe...

Tell the truth, show the evidence of the truth, and no Doctor can deny its worth to medical science.

If you are in a mmj hostile state, write your local state rep often, to allow MMJ!

[enorty]

wait.. people really go to see shrinks?

honestly, if you cant handle life without drugs.. and you need a shrink to "cope"

maybe drugs are not for you.

[sayyeah]

Originally Posted by enorty

wait.. people really go to see shrinks?

honestly, if you cant handle life without drugs.. and you need a shrink to "cope"

maybe drugs are not for you.

i'm sorry, i think this is really disrespectful to the op, and a lot of people on this forum, and anyone else who seeks professional help for their problems. people need different coping mechanisms for their issues. some people cannot function on a day-to-day basis without prescriptions...

you are extremely ignorant.

[MIKED1313]

sell the pills and buy chronic! lol

[tharedhead]

Originally Posted by enorty

wait.. people really go to see shrinks?

honestly, if you cant handle life without drugs.. and you need a shrink to "cope"

maybe drugs are not for you.

Many people with bipolar disorder require highly specialized and often adjusted medications which are best prescribed by a specialist (the "shrink")
NIMH · Bipolar Disorder
MMJ can be an important adjunctive therapy in bipolar states, but, in many cases, it may not completely replace prescription drugs or psychotherapy in this serious, life long illness.

To date, there is no cure for bipolar disorder. But proper treatment helps most people with bipolar disorder gain better control of their mood swings and related symptoms.18-20 This is also true for people with the most severe forms of the illness.
Because bipolar disorder is a lifelong and recurrent illness, people with the disorder need long-term treatment to maintain control of bipolar symptoms. An effective maintenance treatment plan includes medication and psychotherapy for preventing relapse and reducing symptom severity.21

I don't think anybody is going to want to buy most bipolar meds. Anti-anxiety meds, maybe, but no one earth could abuse Lithium. Its like pouring concrete between your ears.

[cball]

Originally Posted by enorty

wait.. people really go to see shrinks?

honestly, if you cant handle life without drugs.. and you need a shrink to "cope"

maybe drugs are not for you.

Ohhhh well excuse us people that develop or were born with mental problems...EXCUSE THE <beep> OUT OF US...

[cball]

Originally Posted by sayyeah

i'm sorry, i think this is really disrespectful to the op, and a lot of people on this forum, and anyone else who seeks professional help for their problems. people need different coping mechanisms for their issues. some people cannot function on a day-to-day basis without prescriptions...

you are extremely ignorant.

Thank you for your stance and sticking up for us.

[cball]

Originally Posted by tharedhead

Many people with bipolar disorder require highly specialized and often adjusted medications which are best prescribed by a specialist (the "shrink")
NIMH · Bipolar Disorder
MMJ can be an important adjunctive therapy in bipolar states, but, in many cases, it may not completely replace prescription drugs or psychotherapy in this serious, life long illness.



I don't think anybody is going to want to buy most bipolar meds. Anti-anxiety meds, maybe, but no one earth could abuse Lithium. Its like pouring concrete between your ears.

If mmj was legal here, I would try to get by on it alone, but it isn't, so I have to find a balance (cost vs effect of pills + mmj).

ps; thanks for your reply!

[ftr]

I live in WA, which does allow MMJ for certain things but not for mental disorders. Based on the responses here, I guess I should be prepared for just about any response. I remember him asking whether I used any drugs and specifically about marijuana back at my initial evaluation, but I didn't really get a read on how he felt about it.

I'll spend more time with the Granny Storm Crow information so that I have some backup if his response is really negative and/or uninformed. My therapist (not the one who prescribes the meds) felt that marijuana would only complicate things and add yet another chemical to my system. Funny that she hasn't said that about the various drugs that my shrink has added to my cocktail.

To the person who made the grossly insensitive, disrespectful, and ignorant statement...perhaps it's you that should be seeking help since you evidently get off on being judgmental and rude to complete strangers.


ftr

[tharedhead]

Do keep us posted on how it goes. You may eventually qualify for MMJ with one of your incidental diagnosis, or if you develop significant medication side effects (anorexia and weight loss from bupropion for example, or any of the many other psych meds which cause nausea)
Unfortunately, many times its the doc's malpractice insurance talking, not them. As long as MMJ is federally illegal, many physicians are going to CYA ("cover your ass") and avoid recomendations. "More Chemicals" *snort* is typical BS.