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Suggest Treatment For Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder
Question: http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hallucinogen_persisting_perception_disorder
i see Visual changes in life, it's almost like my life is sometimes in 2D and 3D at the same time, when I look at stuff I can get lightning flashes. some things are bigger and smaller deppening at distances. if I look into a bright sky I can se like smallcelles in my eyes( when you do something drastic like go up to fast and then you see stars for a few seconds) that's going on all the time. like an old tv with the white and black off mode.
I feel deppressed some times, I get easily panic attacks, it feels like everything is unreal but real at the same time, like living in a dream. lights are brighter, colour is more strickt then usual.
I've had this symptom for almost 3 years and I've been to afraid to go to a doctor to check it out. to scared for it to be deadly. but 2 days ago I searched on the internet like I've done for the past year to find out something Thats close enough for my symptoms. and that is HDDP.
I've done cannabis and spice. spice was a long time ago maybe 2 years but cannabis about 6 months ago.
now I'm sick and tired of this and I need help.
i see Visual changes in life, it's almost like my life is sometimes in 2D and 3D at the same time, when I look at stuff I can get lightning flashes. some things are bigger and smaller deppening at distances. if I look into a bright sky I can se like smallcelles in my eyes( when you do something drastic like go up to fast and then you see stars for a few seconds) that's going on all the time. like an old tv with the white and black off mode.
I feel deppressed some times, I get easily panic attacks, it feels like everything is unreal but real at the same time, like living in a dream. lights are brighter, colour is more strickt then usual.
I've had this symptom for almost 3 years and I've been to afraid to go to a doctor to check it out. to scared for it to be deadly. but 2 days ago I searched on the internet like I've done for the past year to find out something Thats close enough for my symptoms. and that is HDDP.
I've done cannabis and spice. spice was a long time ago maybe 2 years but cannabis about 6 months ago.
now I'm sick and tired of this and I need help.
Brief Answer:
Psychotherapeutic measures are advised.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your query and i understand your concerns.
HPPD is a rare disorder and the symptoms are really distressing.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. The visual symptoms which you have mentioned are a kind of depersonalization/derealization phenomenon. such phenomenon can be a part of HPPD.
Unfortunately, no single drug has been proven to be effective for this disorder. As the disorder is vary rare, so there are no randomized controlled trials for any drug for this disorder. However, benzodiazepines like clonazepam are suggested to be useful. These are prescription medications and are only given after you consult directly with a clinical psychiatrist.
2. As you are feeling depressed and having panic attacks due to this problem, antidepressants like paroxetine or fluoxetine might prove useful. Again, these are prescription medications.
3. There are some non-pharmacological methods which can be useful like wearing sunglasses while entering a bright light area, getting a good night's sleep and having healthy diet, practicing relaxation exercises like yoga and meditation, engaging yourself in activities like reading, writing, solving puzzles etc.
4. The symptoms are increased by:
a. constantly worrying about symptoms.
b. stressful activities.
c. drugs of abuse like alcohol and others.
So try to avoid these things.
Please consult your psychiatrist for further treatment and management of symptoms. This is important because he can help you to reach the diagnosis in a better way. You have matched your symptoms with a disorder from internet, but the clinical acumen of a doctor is far better than internet. If you will keep running away from visiting a doctor fearing that you problem might be a serious one, you will indeed find it difficult to cope up with it. So its my sincere advice that you MUST meet you doctor without any fear.
Also, do not try to self medicate yourself. All the medications which I have mentioned are to be taken only under supervision of a psychiatrist.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Psychotherapeutic measures are advised.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your query and i understand your concerns.
HPPD is a rare disorder and the symptoms are really distressing.
I have some suggestions for you:
1. The visual symptoms which you have mentioned are a kind of depersonalization/derealization phenomenon. such phenomenon can be a part of HPPD.
Unfortunately, no single drug has been proven to be effective for this disorder. As the disorder is vary rare, so there are no randomized controlled trials for any drug for this disorder. However, benzodiazepines like clonazepam are suggested to be useful. These are prescription medications and are only given after you consult directly with a clinical psychiatrist.
2. As you are feeling depressed and having panic attacks due to this problem, antidepressants like paroxetine or fluoxetine might prove useful. Again, these are prescription medications.
3. There are some non-pharmacological methods which can be useful like wearing sunglasses while entering a bright light area, getting a good night's sleep and having healthy diet, practicing relaxation exercises like yoga and meditation, engaging yourself in activities like reading, writing, solving puzzles etc.
4. The symptoms are increased by:
a. constantly worrying about symptoms.
b. stressful activities.
c. drugs of abuse like alcohol and others.
So try to avoid these things.
Please consult your psychiatrist for further treatment and management of symptoms. This is important because he can help you to reach the diagnosis in a better way. You have matched your symptoms with a disorder from internet, but the clinical acumen of a doctor is far better than internet. If you will keep running away from visiting a doctor fearing that you problem might be a serious one, you will indeed find it difficult to cope up with it. So its my sincere advice that you MUST meet you doctor without any fear.
Also, do not try to self medicate yourself. All the medications which I have mentioned are to be taken only under supervision of a psychiatrist.
Hope this helps you.
Any further queries are welcome.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
thanks for a great awnser, I just want an approval that it ain't some kind of cancer that can provide these symptoms
Brief Answer:
Its due to cannabis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for a follow-up query.
Your symptoms are most likely due to cannabis and not due to cancer.
Please consult your psychiatrist without any fear.
Happy to help you.
I wish you good health.
Take care :)
Its due to cannabis.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for a follow-up query.
Your symptoms are most likely due to cannabis and not due to cancer.
Please consult your psychiatrist without any fear.
Happy to help you.
I wish you good health.
Take care :)
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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