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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
I THINK I'm vocalizing out loud, but I KNOW I'm not
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD), bipolar disorder, dementia, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic, personality disorders, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, stress, transitions, and work problems.
I THINK I'm vocalizing out loud, but I KNOW I'm not
by Coreen, Dec 30, 1999 12:00AM
Hi! My question is regarding the fact that I think that I am making loud vocalizations, when I am positive that I am not, yet I can't rid myself of the doubt that I feel when I think it has happened. The first time it occured I was in a philosophy lecture and had smoked marijuana prior to attending the lecture. The professor was staring at me (he was thinking about a question a student had asked and therefore, more accurately was staring 'through' me), but I suddenly had a panicking feeling that I had yelled some nonsense gibberish out loud and had to leave the lecture to compose myself. I know for certain that it did not occur as my friend would have told me......
Since then, I often have the feeling that I am doing this even when I am not high, especially at times when things are quiet like in a lecture or when I am by myself somewhere. I am not particularily distressed about it, but the thought is intrusive. I don't engage in any behaviour associated with obsessions/compulsions as a result of the thoughts, I just ignore them as I know that the action has not really occured (although I still have self-doubt) I am a 4th year psychology student hoping this is stress related. Thank-you for your time :)
Since then, I often have the feeling that I am doing this even when I am not high, especially at times when things are quiet like in a lecture or when I am by myself somewhere. I am not particularily distressed about it, but the thought is intrusive. I don't engage in any behaviour associated with obsessions/compulsions as a result of the thoughts, I just ignore them as I know that the action has not really occured (although I still have self-doubt) I am a 4th year psychology student hoping this is stress related. Thank-you for your time :)
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Jan 01, 2000 12:00AM
Coreen,
It must be difficult coping with the intrusive thoughts and self-doubt that you are experiencing. These may be obsessions. A diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) requires the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions, but not necessarily both. For more information about OCD, please refer to a question posted by Jerry on 11/21/99, with response by HFHS.MD-SW on 11/23/99.
It is unclear how much your marijuana use may be contributing to your symptoms. I urge you to discontinue the use of marijuana, and seek evaluation by a mental health professional.
It must be difficult coping with the intrusive thoughts and self-doubt that you are experiencing. These may be obsessions. A diagnosis of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) requires the presence of obsessions and/or compulsions, but not necessarily both. For more information about OCD, please refer to a question posted by Jerry on 11/21/99, with response by HFHS.MD-SW on 11/23/99.
It is unclear how much your marijuana use may be contributing to your symptoms. I urge you to discontinue the use of marijuana, and seek evaluation by a mental health professional.
Oh, and by the way, if you're so truly concerned about your own well-being, try giving up the pot. You're frying your brain.