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Can Marijuana Be Consumed When Diagnosed With Bipolar Disease?

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Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015
Question: hi I am a bipolar disorder patient.I diagnosed it 4 years back.I was also a marijuana user.I ve suffered 4 major manic episodes.an it stays 2-3 month.every time manic episode come I took heavy amount of marijuana.and unrealistic thoughts are come.at the last manic episode I quit my job.took huge amount of loan.and now I m in highly depressive mode.I think due to high use of marijuana I loose my intelligence and I also forget a lot.like faces names direction past memories.my question is how marijuana and bipolar linked and is marijuana can cause decreace intelligence or memory.if yes , then is that recoverable?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (48 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes chronic marijuana use may cause mild cognitive impairment but its reversible

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries

I can understand your concern. Marijuana or Cannabis if used for long time then individuals have risk of developing symptoms like lack of motivation, reduced cognitive functions and poor functions. In most of individuals on stopping the marijuana use, symptoms start recovering. Poor focus is one of important reason for memory impairment and lack of intelligence seen. Lack of motivation and aggravation of depression are one of important complications seen after chronic marijuana use.

You have bipolar disorder and this also increases the risk of depression. Due to depressive symptoms lack of focus and reduced concentration are seen. This causes forgetfulness and feelings as if intelligence is reducing. But fortunately all these symptoms are reversible.

First thing I'd advise you to stop using marijuana and avoid using in near future. This would help to regain motivation. Second thing is to consult your psychiatrist again. Medicines like Lamotrigine can help to reduce the depressive symptoms and will help in stabilising the mood also. Apart from this medicines like Modafinil or Armodafinil can help to improve focus and you will feel improvement in your intelligence. So consult your doctor for re-evaluation of your symptoms.

Don't remain stressed, these symptoms will improve with time. Just avoid the marijuana use in future.

Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask a follow up question for more doubts.

Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (51 minutes later)
hello,
currently i stopped marijuana about 2 months.but i did this before also.But when manic episode started i feel i am god and i took marijuana whole day.is manic stage exceed the use of drugs like cannabis.
i am currently taking Dicorate ER 750,Lithosun SR and Risdone LS.
but i feel lathargetic,depressed.is above medicine is right for me?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
These drugs are right for you

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking a follow up question

Please try to avoid marijuana in future. Dicorate, Lithosun as well as Risdone all act as mood stabilisers. These can control your mood swings but for depressive symptoms and lack of motivation please consult your doctor again and ask about the drugs I have mentioned. Lamotrigine can act as good drug for your symptoms.

These drugs are right for you, lethargy can occur due to medicines. No need to worry.

Thanks. Still have more doubts please ask again. Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (5 hours later)
Hi,
Thanks for your suggestion .

Another problem i felt when i am chatting with some one,or in a group.i have dosen't any thing to say when we or they are chatting.They chat and i felt blunt as nothing strike my brain. I stay fully detached from them and stay soundless.but somedays before i was talkative and talk unrealistic (in manic stage ).Is this due to bipolar disorder or due to use of heavy amount of marijuana?
As i quit job in last manic stage ,and now i felt that is damn bad decision.i always felt depressed and worrying about my future.as for chronic use of marijuana i loose my intelligence and memory power it seems difficult to find another job.i often think that its better to end all of this.i have no XXXXXXX left.i have emotion less.i wish i could loudly cry.can you give any idea or medicine to recover from this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Start taking medicines like Lamotrigine and this will help you.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thanks for asking a follow up question

Inability to remain in conversation is also one symptom due to lack of focus. Due to lack of focus and concentration it appears as if you were not there is conversation. This is occurring due to marijuana use for long time. Wait for some time for improvement from these issues.

Please consult your doctor and ask for prescription of drugs like Lamotrigine. Lamotrigine will help to improve the persisting depressive symptoms. Medicines like Modafinil or Armodafinil will help to improve the alertness and will help to increase the focus.

Thanks, Hope this helps you. Please if you still have more doubts ask again.

Take care
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2007

Answered : 5193 Questions

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Can Marijuana Be Consumed When Diagnosed With Bipolar Disease?

Brief Answer: Yes chronic marijuana use may cause mild cognitive impairment but its reversible Detailed Answer: Hello thanks for asking from HCM for your health related queries I can understand your concern. Marijuana or Cannabis if used for long time then individuals have risk of developing symptoms like lack of motivation, reduced cognitive functions and poor functions. In most of individuals on stopping the marijuana use, symptoms start recovering. Poor focus is one of important reason for memory impairment and lack of intelligence seen. Lack of motivation and aggravation of depression are one of important complications seen after chronic marijuana use. You have bipolar disorder and this also increases the risk of depression. Due to depressive symptoms lack of focus and reduced concentration are seen. This causes forgetfulness and feelings as if intelligence is reducing. But fortunately all these symptoms are reversible. First thing I'd advise you to stop using marijuana and avoid using in near future. This would help to regain motivation. Second thing is to consult your psychiatrist again. Medicines like Lamotrigine can help to reduce the depressive symptoms and will help in stabilising the mood also. Apart from this medicines like Modafinil or Armodafinil can help to improve focus and you will feel improvement in your intelligence. So consult your doctor for re-evaluation of your symptoms. Don't remain stressed, these symptoms will improve with time. Just avoid the marijuana use in future. Thanks, I hope this helps you. Please don't hesitate to ask a follow up question for more doubts. Take care