I've been thinking that a few intense experiences with substances have permanently altered my brain negatively, I feel like I'm going insane.
I'm just wondering if anyone else thinks their anxiety has been caused by drugs (be it alcohol, illegal drugs, mind altering pharmaceuticals..) or a traumatic drug induced experience.
If so, I'm interested as to what symptoms you've experienced, specifically what caused it, if you can still take this drug, and what has helped you.
Thanks a lot!
edit:
Just to provide more information, almost a year ago, I accidentally smoked far too much weed, until couldn't figure out what was happening or where I was, was experiencing time in the wrong order, hallucinating, and genuinely thought I was going to die. I was hyperventilating, shaking and my heart was pounding for nearly 3 hours. I was fine when I sobered up, but heard voices saying my name when no one was there for a week afterwards.
More recently, I accidentally took mdma which was far too strong. This wasn't as bad as the weed experience, but I experienced lots of disturbing things whilst high. (It was on quite a dangerous festival nightshift)
Now I often feel like I'm tripping (In a very bad way), when I'm sober. It may be that when I've had bad trips they have caused panic attacks, and so it is those I am experiencing, (as lots of other stuff has been going on lately too) but the scariest thing is that my perception is drastically altered, and I'm sometimes terrified I'm going insane, or I'm not experiencing reality as it is..
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ruthclara
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Hello ruthclara. Would like to help and glad you wrote. The answers you are looking for cover a broad swath of possibilities. Starting with the most basic: yes alcohol can affect your brain and body. Everything you mentioned can do that. Appears you are searching for a diagnosis of your situation by asking others about theirs.
Every person's chemistry is different. It would be helpful if you could be open and frank about what drugs you may have used and what happened to you .
Hi HearYou, thank you for your reply! Yes you're right, it's just such a long story really. I'm also hesitant to post up about having done what little I have done. I've editted my post with a summary.
Ruthclara, yes we regularly get people posting on here saying their anxiety disorder was triggered by recreational drugs such as cannabis. You'vr had a bad reaction...and you ask if you can still take this drug!
Yep, I'm not sure why I included that, as personally being near them makes me feel ill! But I have heard of people using cannabis to help their anxiety, which is why I wondered.
in my younger days I only smoked weed.i thought I tried it all but in Africa it blew my mind away for hours having one joint.never experienced anything like it.ive tried most drugs over time it will give you less of a high but mentally it will effect you more and more.most drugs these days don't even contain anything that they are supposed to be just a concoction of terrible substances I took rat poison instead of something else it nearly killed me.my advice is refer to your doctor and try and get counselling before you have a experience you cant come back from.
Gosh that's scary. I'm sorry you had to go through that, but I'm glad you survived! Could you expand more on how they affect you mentally more and more? Thank you though, for your reply. I could get counselling, but unfortunately I am a coward.
Think you should get backbone and go to counseling instead of enjoying the tales of really horrible second hand trips. Afraid you sound a bit voyeuristic; you need some help.
ouch, not quite sure why you'd think that, I'm more trying to understand what's going on in my own head. In my comment I meant how it affected mental health to see if it's what's caused the decline in mine if that's what you're referencing, but alas I'm a bit rubbish with wording.
Well, you stood up for yourself when you didn't like my reply; really think you can do that to get counseling. ok? You're not really a coward at all .Maybe a bit nervous about it, but think you may be surprised how much help you may receive. Best wishes if you decide to try it.
I see what you did there..thank you. You're right of course, I suppose it's just fear of the unknown - it's always easier to type from behind a screen.
Keen mind, ruthclara, I was so transparent. Your grip will be strong enough to make a few calls to select a therapist who can help you . Let us know how things go for you.
hi I was unable to function properly I was dependant on weed every day.i was moody sad depressed no outlook on life.drugs affected my way of life I was suicidal at times.mentally I was broken even being free from drugs 9 years I think it affected my memory.dont see it as cowardly see it as the first step to recovery.
I can't find the words to express how awful that must have been. But 9 years without is a heck of an achievement being that you were dependent. I'm glad things have at least improved
I can’t say my anxiety was triggered by weed, but it did make it much worse for a few months. I had a pot brownie edible last year that triggered the worst panic attack I’ve ever had, went to the er and nothing was wrong but I could not function for weeks after that. I’m doing better now but I do feel anxiety much more often now
That does make sense. I'm sorry you had to go through that. You said it wasn't the initial trigger, but I still just can't believe the fact that a single (terrible) experience can affect us so drastically.
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