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What Can Cause A Young Man To Exhibit Symptoms Of Paranoia When Diagnosed With Sleep Disorder And Anxiety?
Question:
This is for my son who is now aged 20 years and is studying undergraduate second year in USA. He has been using weed for the last four years as we understand. He believes that he has a sleep disorder and anxiety and he attributes his need for use of weed to these two issues. He also believes that he has low level of confidence and gets anxious when he must meet people and using weed helps him to get over this fear.
We visited him in first half of may and he was exhibiting symptoms of paranoia. He would think that the waiter in the hotel, the front desk person in his building and even the cab driver was treating him badly and were lying. This seemed exaggerated since we were also there during this experience. His behavior has been changing
We insisted he comes back with us to XXXXXXX and we can seek help, but he decided to stay back and pursue his summer school which gets over on the 3oth XXXXXXX and he gets back to XXXXXXX post that on the 1st night.
We were hoping to come and meet you once he comes back but in the meanwhile since yesterday he has been not reading his WhatsApp messages and nor responding to WhatsApp calls. When we pursued him, he has said that this email, WhatsApp and WIFI at home has been hacked by people who want to do this for cheap thrills. We finally spoke to him on normal voice calls and explained that this is not the case and that he should think positively. We also offered to get him back on the next available flight and that he can drop out of this summer session. He refused to do so and said that he will sort this issue out soon and connect with us. He has requested us to believe in him and that he will sort this issue out soon.
Doctor we are very confused and do not know what to do now. Please guide us. We live in XXXXXXX for work, but we have a permanent house in XXXXXXX We need some urgent advice.
This is for my son who is now aged 20 years and is studying undergraduate second year in USA. He has been using weed for the last four years as we understand. He believes that he has a sleep disorder and anxiety and he attributes his need for use of weed to these two issues. He also believes that he has low level of confidence and gets anxious when he must meet people and using weed helps him to get over this fear.
We visited him in first half of may and he was exhibiting symptoms of paranoia. He would think that the waiter in the hotel, the front desk person in his building and even the cab driver was treating him badly and were lying. This seemed exaggerated since we were also there during this experience. His behavior has been changing
We insisted he comes back with us to XXXXXXX and we can seek help, but he decided to stay back and pursue his summer school which gets over on the 3oth XXXXXXX and he gets back to XXXXXXX post that on the 1st night.
We were hoping to come and meet you once he comes back but in the meanwhile since yesterday he has been not reading his WhatsApp messages and nor responding to WhatsApp calls. When we pursued him, he has said that this email, WhatsApp and WIFI at home has been hacked by people who want to do this for cheap thrills. We finally spoke to him on normal voice calls and explained that this is not the case and that he should think positively. We also offered to get him back on the next available flight and that he can drop out of this summer session. He refused to do so and said that he will sort this issue out soon and connect with us. He has requested us to believe in him and that he will sort this issue out soon.
Doctor we are very confused and do not know what to do now. Please guide us. We live in XXXXXXX for work, but we have a permanent house in XXXXXXX We need some urgent advice.
Brief Answer:
He appears to have paranoia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for query
Your son appear to have paranoia which is common in cannabis induced psychosis. It is a big problem even when patient is at home, in your case son is abroad. In general it is better to avoid sending kid abroad if you suspect weed use in them considering current complication.
Now come to his case. In paranoia patient does not understand his abnormal thinking due to illness process, due to that counseling become useless in such case.
Following steps will be helpful:
-Call him to XXXXXXX irrespective of any education loss as health is more important. But same time avoid challenging him regarding his paranoid thoughts.
-Meet psychiatrist to start treatment of paranoia and deaddiction.
-If he is not coming to XXXXXXX then 1 family member should stay with him over there. If possible meet psychiatrist over there.
-In counseling, use supporting words like: Nobody will harm him in your presence. You are safe. Let them hack net, computer and XXXXXXX as we will bring new one.
Hope it will guide your action in this difficult situation.
take care
He appears to have paranoia
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for query
Your son appear to have paranoia which is common in cannabis induced psychosis. It is a big problem even when patient is at home, in your case son is abroad. In general it is better to avoid sending kid abroad if you suspect weed use in them considering current complication.
Now come to his case. In paranoia patient does not understand his abnormal thinking due to illness process, due to that counseling become useless in such case.
Following steps will be helpful:
-Call him to XXXXXXX irrespective of any education loss as health is more important. But same time avoid challenging him regarding his paranoid thoughts.
-Meet psychiatrist to start treatment of paranoia and deaddiction.
-If he is not coming to XXXXXXX then 1 family member should stay with him over there. If possible meet psychiatrist over there.
-In counseling, use supporting words like: Nobody will harm him in your presence. You are safe. Let them hack net, computer and XXXXXXX as we will bring new one.
Hope it will guide your action in this difficult situation.
take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Doctor thank you for your prompt response . We have been speaking to him and he continues to be open to listening that this could be weed induced paranoia but he is requesting to trust him for a few days to sort it out for himself . He is now scheduled to be back in three weeks when we would like to come and visit you. At that stage we are also hoping to tell him to stay back in XXXXXXX and take a drop of at least one semester or more to get rid of his habit and only then go back to pursue his education
Meanwhile he seems to be continuing his daily chores .
Do you think it is ok to listen to him and get him over when he is back in three weeks or we should do an intervention like going there to get him or bring him back earlier against his will . Since he seems to be telling us not to come and he said he will sort his issue and come back in three weeks as per schedule ?
Regards
XXXX
Meanwhile he seems to be continuing his daily chores .
Do you think it is ok to listen to him and get him over when he is back in three weeks or we should do an intervention like going there to get him or bring him back earlier against his will . Since he seems to be telling us not to come and he said he will sort his issue and come back in three weeks as per schedule ?
Regards
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Behavior is unpredictable
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for your follow up
It is difficult to predict his behavior in next 3 week. But in paranoia patient may be dangerous to self or others any time. It will be safer if patient remain under supervision.
In current condition patient words are not reliable. You need to take call based on his day to day condition. As he is switching off his XXXXXXX it may be difficult for you to monitor him from here. So, it is better some close family member stays with him. I can understand that he is far, but it is better to be on safe side.
Take care
Behavior is unpredictable
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
thanks for your follow up
It is difficult to predict his behavior in next 3 week. But in paranoia patient may be dangerous to self or others any time. It will be safer if patient remain under supervision.
In current condition patient words are not reliable. You need to take call based on his day to day condition. As he is switching off his XXXXXXX it may be difficult for you to monitor him from here. So, it is better some close family member stays with him. I can understand that he is far, but it is better to be on safe side.
Take care
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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