Wednesday, July 01, 2009 Totally Concerned asks

Q: Marijuana Influencing Onset of Traumatic Event

A close family member (college kid, age 21) smoked marijuna (6/3)that, unknown to them, was laced with mushrooms.They are not a regular smoker and on the 3rd bong hit, had a very bad experience. They felt like everything was surreal and unreal, causing them to have a severe panic attack as they felt they were never going to get better and that they had ruined their life. They started CBT on 6/5 and have seen the therapist @4 times. After @1 week from the event, they began to feel like their old self. Then they had a couple of drinks and had a "mild" panic attack. Since that time, they are feeling out of touch and that the world around them doesn't appear/feel real. Originally, diagnosed w/anxiety they are now diagnosed w/PTSD. They are exercising and doing relaxation techniques and continuing therapy. The therapist suggested seeing their internist/primary care physician and discuss medication. The therapist suggested propanolol. Also,individual tends to become very "obsessed" about things that can be harmful. For instance, swam in a lake once during an amoeba warning and was "freaked" for @1 day. Have never seen them like this and fear they are in a lot of pain. They really want their life back! Does this sound like they have PTSD? Is propanolol a good choice of medication?

Answers (1)

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Eileen Bailey

7/ 1/09 8:10pm

Thank you for your question and welcome to ADHDCentral.com.

I am sorry your family member is having such a hard time and that this incident has caused so much harm to him or her.

It would be impossible for me to say whether he or she has PTSD. I am not a medical professional and even if I was it would be impossible to diagnose someone based on your question. In the same way, I also would not be able to say whetehr this medication is best. First, people react differently to medications, what works well for one person may not work for another. Sometimes, finding the right medication and the right dosage is a matter of trial and error. If the medication is working for your family member, then it just might be the right medication.

It also sounds as if your family member is on the right course, by seeing a therapist and a doctor, he or she should receive overall medical care for the anxiety.

Eileen

Totally Concerned

7/ 2/09 6:40pm

Thanks for your comments. I do understand that it's impossible to diagnose someone unseen. We went to the therapist today and my family member is much better today, even before we went. We then saw the internist and he prescribed 10 mg./day of propanolol along w/10 mg./day of lexapro. Hopefully, they will see relief with this additional part of their treatment.

Eileen Bailey

7/ 7/09 11:38am

I wish you the best of luck in getting treatment for your family member. Mental illness is often difficult because of the ups and downs it can cause. This is hard not only on the person with mental illness but the entire family. Make sure you take care of yourself during this time as that is so very important.

Eileen

Totally Concerned

7/ 7/09 9:30pm

Thanks for the kind words. They're off the lexapro, but take the propranolol still. They found a great mentor online that has been very helpful.