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pkster8235

So I have decided, finally, after 8 years, to go to my doctor about "depression". I feel like I should tell the doctor pretty much everything, as I want to get help.
My question is, since I want to be as open as possible with my doctor to make sure I get the right treatment for me, do you think it is okay to tell my doctor about my weed habit? I know that tons of people smoke weed, but I am just not sure how a medical professional would react. I don't want them to just say, "stop smoking weed and let me know how you feel", but at the same time, I want to be open and tell them everything to make sure I get get the right treatment plan.
Have any of you had any experience with this? any input is greatly appreciated.

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Music, because of its specific and far-reaching metaphorical powers, can name the unnameable and communicate the unknowable.
-Leonard Bernstein

 

imported_djoutlaw

Well i haven't had the same exact problem, but i totally understand. It is the BEST thing to do to let him know about it, it really isn't his job to "judge" anyone. If he knows all the facts it can only help you to get the right diagnosis and treatment. So i say Let It All Out! If he just decides that he can't or won't help you then to hell w him, there are doctors who will be willing to help you, no matter what you decide to do in your life...

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OFTEN IMITATED, BUT NEVER DUPLICATED

crunchcrunch

yeah man, i would say you should tell him. i told my psychologist about my pot habit, and she really didn't knock it much at all. she basically said that just like anything, try to keep it in moderation, but that it isn't really going to cause too much harm. she said that there were other things in my life that were probably causing a much larger psychological impact on me than my marijuana use, and that i should worry about them, not my use of a plant.

on the other hand, if he is totally anti-drug, then he will probably give you a very skewed response.

so i say just tell him, and then try to figure out if he gave you a real answer or just a kneejerk reaction. if he just gives you the kneejerk, then he was a shitty doctor to begin with.

thats my 5 cents.

TMG

I'd test the waters first.

True story:

I had a doctor (used to take adderall) whom I lied to and said I only smoked once every two or three months, and he went off on me. It was completely retarded. He told me that I would have to pass drug tests (after that i knew id never see him again lol) and that he's seen from personal, first hand experience that "what weed can do". Then he told me all about some girl he used to treat that smoked so much pot she became a full blown schizo and had to go live in a mental hostpital. SWEAR TO GOD this is what the man told me. He said weed is "known" to make you develop all kinds of mental and brain problems.....blah blah blah blah blah. And he was being very rude about it, treating me like I was some stupid drug addict that didn't have enough sense to come in out of the rain or something.

The whole time I was thinking "fuck me, this guy is a relentless moron that won't shut up about weed". The more he kept going on and on, the angrier I got just sitting their, having paid A LOT of hard earned money, just to recieve a lecture, that I felt (according to my lie lol) wasn't even necessary for someone like me. I got really pissed and ended up leaving (politely but abruptly, i pretty much stopped talking after his little anti-pot bitchfest) and ended up wrtinig them a letter stating I was totally unhappy with my services, I would never be seeing that doctor again, and I would appriciate a refund. I disputed that not only did he not attempt to actually help me, but he ended up offending me. I never got a refund but I found out a few months down the road (a family member still sees a doctor at the same office) that he wasn't working there anymore. LOL I hope he got fired.

tornado

actually, all you have to tell your doctor is that you're feeling depressed and you'd like a referral to a good therapist. when i went in for depression, they had me fill out this 20-question piece of paper which is supposed to judge whether or not you're depressed, then they gave me an anti-depressant prescription and sent me to a shrink.

when you get to the therapist, you can tell him/her about your habit because he/she will know much more about marijuana's effect on the depressed mind than a regular doctor.

the only problem you're going to run into is that there are still biases even in the medical world. some therapists and doctors will tell you that you need to stop smoking weed just because they think that weed is bad, while others will tell you the opposite for the opposite reason. its nearly impossible to find a truly unbiased person to give you sound, logical advice on your situation. my best advice is to find a good friend to confide in, who you know will care about you no matter what you say. it truly does help a lot.

also, if you do get a prescription to some kind of anti-depressant, be careful. i ceased taking my anti-depressant after being on heavy dosages of it for a few months, and i dropped into a deeper depression than i had been in before the drug. i don't take anything now, but boy there were some rough months in there.

 

pkster8235

Thanks everyone for their input. I do have a good friend (my best friend, actually) who has been going through similar things as I have.. and I do confide in her, and tell her everything.. it makes me feel better sometimes, but I know there is something out of my control going on.
Thanks again everyone.

feedyourhead

my physician knows about my drinking, my smoking, and my marijuana habit. he doesn't make a fuss about it at all.. in fact, when he gives me perscriptions he lets me know how the drug will interact with alcohol, and how it could potentially interact with marijuana (of course nothing has really been tested regarding drug interactions with pot, as it's illegal). most of the time it's 'you might feel higher than usual, so smoke in moderation while you're still taking your meds.' he's cool about it.

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Broliette

feedyourhead, i like your doctor! Now that sounds like someone who is more in tune with the REALITY of people and what they do than a quack who likes to get up on a soap box and preach about your health. He helps you deal with what you have instead of trying to change it.

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pkster8235

Yeah.. I am gonna move to where ever you live so I can see that doctor of yours. Higher than usual? sweeeeeet. haha joking. Sounds like a good doctor though. My family doctor is literally 70-ish.. (I am 21.. he delievered [I know that is spelt wrong] me at birth, and same with my other siblings.. including my 37 year old sister).. so I am definitely changing doctors before I go regarding this issue. He probably still uses leeches to cure everything.

Broliette

Did you know: "Leeches are experiencing a medical renaissance: the Food and Drug Administration recently approved the use of Hirudo medicinalis, known as the European medicinal leech, as a medical device. Prized for their anti-coagulants, leeches are used after surgery to improve blood flow in places where skin was reattached. Increased blood flow helps tissue survive." - http://www.sciencefriday.com/news/04...ws0419071.html

Heh, just thought i'd share. But I do get what you were trying to say man