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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia?

About a year and a half ago my husband went through a phase for a couple of months where he thought everyone around him was mimicking him. Even people we did not know. He was convinced they were emphasizing his behaviors like tapping his foot, coughing, licking lips, etc. He went on like this for about 4 months, and talked about running away from it all. Since then he has been diagnosed with ADD, bipolar, depression, and anxiety. He also has memory issues. He says the memory issues are from abusing marijuana so much in his youth. I read somewhere that this can also cause schizophrenia. Is it possible to go years between schizophrenic episodes? Could he be schizophrenic?
Wed, 17 Dec 2014
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

He started believing that everyone around him was mimicking him. He developed such ideas for the people he didn't know. Most likely these symptoms were ideas of reference. Though more detailed history is needed to make diagnosis of proper delusions. Delusions are main feature of psychotic illnesses and schizophrenia. He has been diagnosed with ADD, Bipolar, depression and anxiety. There is history of marijuana intake in his young years also.
Yes marijuana can precipitate acute transient psychotic disorder (ATPD), but after so many years it is very uncommon.

The symptoms he has can be explained by either his depression with psychosis or due to some side effects of drug. He has memory issues also, so dementia can be a possibility. But for proper diagnosis detailed evaluation is needed and consult a psychiatrist for that.

Thanks, hope this helps you.
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Does Marijuana Cause Schizophrenia?

Hello thanks for asking from HCM He started believing that everyone around him was mimicking him. He developed such ideas for the people he didn t know. Most likely these symptoms were ideas of reference. Though more detailed history is needed to make diagnosis of proper delusions. Delusions are main feature of psychotic illnesses and schizophrenia. He has been diagnosed with ADD, Bipolar, depression and anxiety. There is history of marijuana intake in his young years also. Yes marijuana can precipitate acute transient psychotic disorder (ATPD), but after so many years it is very uncommon. The symptoms he has can be explained by either his depression with psychosis or due to some side effects of drug. He has memory issues also, so dementia can be a possibility. But for proper diagnosis detailed evaluation is needed and consult a psychiatrist for that. Thanks, hope this helps you.