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Suggest Treatment For Severe Anxiety After Smoking Cannabis
Brief Answer:
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having trouble off of marijuana.
Most symptoms are over by 3 weeks, but some people who have more dependency on it can have symptoms for several months. Also, if you were using it to help underlying anxiety or depression, then the problem can come out more intensely after discontinuing marijuana.
If your symptoms are limited to anxiety, an SSRI medication may help a great deal. An example of this is escitalopram (Lexapro) which has the earliest onset of action and lowest side effects of the SSRIs. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in. In the meantime, you can use a benzodiazepine in addition to it to get you through until the SSRI kicks. Benzodiazepines (examples are lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam) in themselves can be dependency forming, but if you only use them a short time it won't be hard to discontinue them.
So as it's been past the 3 week mark, if there hasn't been noticeable improvement in your anxiety, go see a doctor to discuss the medications I mentioned above.
An alternative to the benzodiazepines would be Trazadone which has both antidepressant and anti anxiety properties but can be rather sedating.
Please let me know if I can provide further information. There is hope for you to feel better. Good luck.
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
I am sorry you are having trouble off of marijuana.
Most symptoms are over by 3 weeks, but some people who have more dependency on it can have symptoms for several months. Also, if you were using it to help underlying anxiety or depression, then the problem can come out more intensely after discontinuing marijuana.
If your symptoms are limited to anxiety, an SSRI medication may help a great deal. An example of this is escitalopram (Lexapro) which has the earliest onset of action and lowest side effects of the SSRIs. It takes a couple of weeks to kick in. In the meantime, you can use a benzodiazepine in addition to it to get you through until the SSRI kicks. Benzodiazepines (examples are lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam) in themselves can be dependency forming, but if you only use them a short time it won't be hard to discontinue them.
So as it's been past the 3 week mark, if there hasn't been noticeable improvement in your anxiety, go see a doctor to discuss the medications I mentioned above.
An alternative to the benzodiazepines would be Trazadone which has both antidepressant and anti anxiety properties but can be rather sedating.
Please let me know if I can provide further information. There is hope for you to feel better. Good luck.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Will it pass with out medication. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
It might. If you did not have trouble with anxiety before you started smoking weed, then this phase may pass. But if you smoked weed to calm or soothe yourself, then you may need medication instead.
Information
Detailed Answer:
It might. If you did not have trouble with anxiety before you started smoking weed, then this phase may pass. But if you smoked weed to calm or soothe yourself, then you may need medication instead.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I didn't have anxiety before I had a panic attack from weed then stopped smoking the anxiety came after that. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok. Yes, that can happen from marijuana.
If the anxiety is manageable and you think you can stick it out a few months, then you may not need any meds. If you find the anxiety intolerable, then medications can help.
Try practicing mindfulness techniques and breathing practices to get you through this period.
One technique that is easy to learn is 4 by 4 breathing. There are you tube tutorials on this if you want, too. Basically, you sit comfortably, and breathe in counting to 4, then breathe out counting to 4. And you focus your mind on the breath and on counting. Do this for 4 breaths. Then start over and repeat. Your mind will naturally wander or come up with anxious thoughts at times, but just gently acknowledge this when it happens and return to focusing on the breath and counting. You can start by doing this 5 minutes a day and slowly work up the amount of time as you get more comfortable with it. This technique can help break the cycle of anxiety, and can help you to be more mindful of your thoughts.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Ok. Yes, that can happen from marijuana.
If the anxiety is manageable and you think you can stick it out a few months, then you may not need any meds. If you find the anxiety intolerable, then medications can help.
Try practicing mindfulness techniques and breathing practices to get you through this period.
One technique that is easy to learn is 4 by 4 breathing. There are you tube tutorials on this if you want, too. Basically, you sit comfortably, and breathe in counting to 4, then breathe out counting to 4. And you focus your mind on the breath and on counting. Do this for 4 breaths. Then start over and repeat. Your mind will naturally wander or come up with anxious thoughts at times, but just gently acknowledge this when it happens and return to focusing on the breath and counting. You can start by doing this 5 minutes a day and slowly work up the amount of time as you get more comfortable with it. This technique can help break the cycle of anxiety, and can help you to be more mindful of your thoughts.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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