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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
depression and marijuana
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.
depression and marijuana
by anon, Mar 23, 2000 12:00AM
my 28 year old wife suffers from depression and anxiety and has most of her life. She also has smoked pot daily most of her life. Both run wild on her father's side of the family. She is now on prozac yet still has enourmous disdain for society and professionals (particullarly doctors.) Every doctor has advised that she stop smoking pot, but because no one has said exactly why she refuses and chalks it up as "they have to say that because it's illegal....they probably smoke too." What medically known correlations exist between pot and depression - effects on the cause and/or treatment that can bring her back to sanity? She wants to move to the mountains and join a commune because she can't find happiness in the real world!
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS MD-JM, Mar 24, 2000 12:00AM
Anon,
Marijuana intoxication and chronic daily use has been linked to depression, anxiety and diminished motivation. It has also been noted that those with concurrent ongoing marijuana abuse/anxiety are much less likely to respond to treatment of these disorders. Multiple medical problems have also been associated with marijuana use including significant cardiopulmonary impairment. I hope this is helpful. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Marijuana, Depression
Marijuana intoxication and chronic daily use has been linked to depression, anxiety and diminished motivation. It has also been noted that those with concurrent ongoing marijuana abuse/anxiety are much less likely to respond to treatment of these disorders. Multiple medical problems have also been associated with marijuana use including significant cardiopulmonary impairment. I hope this is helpful. Good luck.
Sincerely,
HFHS MD-JM
Keywords: Marijuana, Depression
Steve White
Steve White