About a month ago my son went through a drug induced psychosis. It was brought on by weed and this pre workout drink he was drinking. It was terrifyingly. It took him about a week to come out of. But he did. I took him to the hospital and and they said he would come out of it. He threw out all his weed and all his stimulating workout supplements.

Well he's back to acting really strange. He thinks everyone at work and just everyone except me are playing mind games with him. He's very paranoid. He's acting like he did in that psychosis. All kinds of bizarre things. He promised me he hasn't smoked any weed. But idk if he's telling me the truth. We're very close and usually he does but my family doesn't believe him.

I have no support really in this bc my family is mad at me for letting him smoke it in the first place. I saw no harm in it. He's almost 21. It's completely legal in my state but now I do regret letting him.

Every place that takes our insurance is full I'm waiting on a call from the one place I didn't want to go, but we have to to get in to see a pdoc.

I'm so very worried this could be the beginning of bp or sz.....I need all the support I can get. Thanks.

Sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sorry to hear that :/

I don't know if this is a great idea, but... if he's having psychosis and you're not sure he's telling you the truth about his pot usage, can you bring him somewhere to have his blood/urine tested for pot? This could be done at an dr's office or urgent care center instead of a hospital. If there are no traces of pot, then you know it's probably beginnings of BP or SZA?

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Sounds like you're stuck between a rock and a hard place. Sorry to hear that :/

I don't know if this is a great idea, but... if he's having psychosis and you're not sure he's telling you the truth about his pot usage, can you bring him somewhere to have his blood/urine tested for pot? This could be done at an dr's office or urgent care center instead of a hospital. If there are no traces of pot, then you know it's probably beginnings of BP or SZA?

I could do that or I think I might buy a drug test! Thanks! That's a good idea!

[RomanJames2014]

If it is bipolar:
Everyone assumes that weed is good for bipolar because it mellows you out and all that but studies have shown that weed can induce psychosis and rapid thinking in bipolar people. I don't know if his weed was laced with something also. There's kinds of weed that can be laced with DMT and other hallucinogenic substances. I hope he gets well soon. Thank you for being a mom that cares this much as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Icare dixit]

Like meds, psychosis has to be fully cleared from your system. That takes most probably longer than a week (think months).

If you now don't trust your son, it may mean a delusion will (trans)form where you doubts you in particular. That one will probably not persist for very long, but it would make things worse.

He is unlikely to induce persecutory delusions unless it's some self-harming behaviour. I may do that, so it's possible, but not a few times a month. I mean, if that is what he's doing he has far worse and different problems. Psychodynamic/psychological.

So I'd give him the benefit of the doubt (also so he may do the same in judging your intentions).

Edit:
Actually I did it twice. Only one time knowingly after a long time of stability and no delusions. I only thought about doing it again, from time to time. That's enough. I got a circus of problems from it, though. But it's all relative.

Thank you so much Roman. he's gonna be home from work soon, I hop he's doing better today. I'm in Washington state and most ppl get there weed from dispensaries. So I don't think it's laced. But it's strong, and I don't think everyone can smoke it. Like me, it makes me really paranoid. For my son he said it made him euphoric.

I so hope he's doing better today....thanks again for the compliment. I try my best to be a good mom.

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Like meds, psychosis has to be fully cleared from your system. That takes most probably longer than a week (think months).

If you now don't trust your son, it may mean a delusion will (trans)form where you doubts you in particular. That one will probably not persist for very long, but it would make things worse.

He is unlikely to induce persecutory delusions unless it's some self-harming behaviour. I may do that, so it's possible, but not a few times a month. I mean, if that is what he's doing he has far worse and different problems. Psychodynamic/psychological.

So I'd give him the benefit of the doubt (also so he may do the same in judging your intentions).

I think I understand what you're saying and after a week give or take he was back to his old self. The more I think about it the more I think he did smoke weed bc one night after work he ran in really fast and grabbed a couple video games. Said he was going to a friend's. Well he had a friend he would smoke weed with and play video games. He came home a couple of hours later and said, I don't think it was the weed that caused the psychosis. I think it was a combination of things. I bet he smoked that night.

But I'm not gonna hassle him about it anymore. I'm just gonna support him that's what he needs tonight. I'm gonna make his favorite dinner: bbq spare ribs with a baked potato and corn. I hope he feels better when he gets home.

What's weird though is he went to his supposedly new friends Wednesday night and didn't start acting strange until Friday....

[Nammu]

Energy drinks are notorious for induced psychosis. Too much caffeine can do it too. People think oh it's just a health drink but it is not. Kids have died from drinking too many of them. He is legally an adult and you can't control what he smokes or drinks. The best thing you can do is what you are doing...keeping the lines of communication open and being supportive.

Yeah that pre workout drink had all kinds of stimulants in it. And the night before he really went into the psychosis he was drinking energy drinks too.

I'm so anxious waiting for him to get home....

[Keegan2015]

For people saying that you could drug test him, you really can't do it with urine / blood tests because there will still be residual weed in his system for up to 4-6 weeks (i.e. he could still test positive for weed that he was using pre-psychotic episode).

Sounds scary. I hope he's alright. Suspecting that people are playing "mind games" with him sounds a LOT like what happened to me during my manic episode with psychotic features last year.

Well he must get off at 5. He won't answer my texts. Yeah it is scary. He mainly thinks the ppl at work are playing mind games with him. I hope he acted ok. Wish he'd answer my texts....

[Spaceyspace]

Don't feel guilty about the weed. For many people its great stuff. Safer than alcohol, has actual medicinal value. For me it makes me psychotic, and I can relate to what you shared. Those energy drinks and workout things too can trip someone up if they have a mental health issue. You are a great mom for caring so much and doing all this leg work to get him help. I know you dont want to go to this clinic that has an opening but make the appointment there and see if you can get on the wait list to a better clinic.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by rose1985

What's weird though is he went to his supposedly new friends Wednesday night and didn't start acting strange until Friday....

I'm not saying he used weed that night. I really can't imagine that. Even when psychotic, you can still make some risk assessment and if it's not mania but persecutory/paranoid, it's really very unlikely.

Delusions can resurface when you find new creative rationalisations after some doubt. You start to fear and the delusions will get stronger again. That could be it.

If he did use any substance that induced or reinvigorated a brief psychosis, it could be, if it's not too extreme, that he kept it for himself. If nobody can be trusted, you better not tell them you know.

Then later if you start to doubt your previous convictions a little or you think you can bring up the courage to confront, you may be more open about it.

It's all rather paradoxical maybe, but quite logical.

Someone in a severe state of fear either freezes or (depending on character) gets aggressive. Just like a panic attack only sometimes less visible. Unless it's aggressive, of course. You put more effort in to appear normal. Answer questions and so forth. Of course it is all a bit strange, detached.

I see it quite clearly, the being consumed by delusions (and/or hallucinations), but I honestly don't know if you would if you don't share the same kind of experience.

Trembling might be a good indicator. It is for me. Unless I am on antipsychotics, I always tremble (ironically ). In the midst of more severe psychosis, this gets far worse.

But detachment and seeming distractedness are also good indicators, though "just" intrusive thoughts can do the same. If he doesn't have a history of obsessions though, it's unlikely. There is a difference though, but again it's just recognition rather than reasoning.

Maybe this helps to clear up some things about his behaviour. I hope so. Maybe not.

At any rate, you do well, as others have said, to support him and see what may.



Edit:
I just read you said it also made him euphoric. Then it may be more likely he tried it of course.

It will pass, I'm sure. And he really shouldn't continue which may be problematic if he gets manic. But he seems to be quite open about it so that's good.

[Anrea]

It seems it doesn't matter if it was drug induced or not. Treat the moment. Prepare for a safe tomorrow. Just getting high doesn't do what you are describing unless it was laced with something, or it was worse drugs then are being admitted.

If you talk to family and they want to tell you your past decision was wrong, remind them that is in the past and you are wanting to focus on right now, and the future. Remind them that your sharing personal things with them is a sign of respect. Ask them if they would rather you didn't speak with them about problems. Remind them that you are looking not for advice as much as sympathy for your current stress - if that is your goal.

Adults who tell other adults what they already know are not being productive. No wonder you thought it was okay to get high, or for your kids to get high having critical family members.

Also, isn't it better to be the parent of the child who tells them the truth, then the parent of the child who is so regularly judged that they learn to lie and deceive the parent in order to live with them?

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by rose1985

Well he must get off at 5. He won't answer my texts. Yeah it is scary. He mainly thinks the ppl at work are playing mind games with him. I hope he acted ok. Wish he'd answer my texts....

Such doubt of your judgement is really quite normal after such an experience. Certainly after the first time (and hopefully the last).

I'm sure it'll be fine. Have you heard from him?

Take care.

[Victoria'smom]

Go to a county mental health place if you must anything for a dx and meds. Psychosis is much scarier to him then to you. Make sure you stay on his side and believe whatever he says is true to him. I hate trying to be talked out of it. It confuses me and angers me.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Go to a county mental health place if you must anything for a dx and meds. Psychosis is much scarier to him then to you. Make sure you stay on his side and believe whatever he says is true to him. I hate trying to be talked out of it. It confuses me and angers me.

Yes, it's really balancing probabilities whether you can convince him and when he will only get more suspicious at every turn. There's no one answer. It's difficult and paradoxical. But if it's really delusional indeed just let him talk and don't try to convince him of anything, say you agree if he is clearly suspicious of you, to get over to his side.

Great advice. Is quite important.

Originally Posted by Anrea

It seems it doesn't matter if it was drug induced or not. Treat the moment. Prepare for a safe tomorrow. Just getting high doesn't do what you are describing unless it was laced with something, or it was worse drugs then are being admitted.

If you talk to family and they want to tell you your past decision was wrong, remind them that is in the past and you are wanting to focus on right now, and the future. Remind them that your sharing personal things with them is a sign of respect. Ask them if they would rather you didn't speak with them about problems. Remind them that you are looking not for advice as much as sympathy for your current stress - if that is your goal.

Adults who tell other adults what they already know are not being productive. No wonder you thought it was okay to get high, or for your kids to get high having critical family members.

Also, isn't it better to be the parent of the child who tells them the truth, then the parent of the child who is so regularly judged that they learn to lie and deceive the parent in order to live with them?

Than you for your input but I DO think that the weed out there combined with the stimulants he was taking could lead to a psychosis. Especially if you have a parent with bp that has went through a psychosis. It's really strong stuff out there and ppl have to be careful. There needs to be more warnings attached in imho.

But yeah, as far as my family is concerned thank you for the input!

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

Go to a county mental health place if you must anything for a dx and meds. Psychosis is much scarier to him then to you. Make sure you stay on his side and believe whatever he says is true to him. I hate trying to be talked out of it. It confuses me and angers me.

That's where I'm going. Still haven't heard back from them yet....

[Icare dixit]

One more thing: if he's still suspicious in might not be a good idea to convince him to see a psychiatrist—if you have antipsychotics. I'd try to convince him to try taking an antipsychotic by telling him, if he doesn't want to take any, that it's just to make sure that he is not delusional. If he is not delusional they won't work. It's just a tool for him to see whether his beliefs are to be trusted. But don't dismiss the beliefs themselves. Just suggest they may be a bit off, exaggerated due to whatever reason.

Of course, first just ask him whether he would be willing to seek help or, if not, an antipsychotic might not be a good idea. But it really depends on severity.

I went through a very severe psychosis 5 yrs ago so I kinda know what I'm dealing with. But it is different being on the other side of it. I'm trying to just listen but I have also tried to reason with him too. Still waiting for him to get home. But thank you everyone for your advice and input. I really appreciate it.

[Icare dixit]

Originally Posted by rose1985

That's where I'm going. Still haven't heard back from them yet....

Is he willing to go? If so, of course do so. Maybe most of what I wrote can be a plan B, but probably won't be necessary.

Weed can (indeed, of course) lead to psychosis. More severe (that is, starting more severe) than the worst scenario I described. I may be especially vulnerable but there are lots of people with only a mild vulnerability that might never become BP or anything like it that may get a (brief) psychosis.

THC concentrations vary and higher concentrations don't necessarily mean a greater chance of psychosis, in my limited but for me, impressive, experience. It's weird how it works. I have no problem with hashish.

Originally Posted by Icare dixit

Is he willing to go? If so, of course do so. Maybe what I wrote can be a plan B, but probably won't be necessary.

Weed can lead to psychosis. More severe (that is, starting more severe) than the worst scenario I described. I may be especially vulnerable but there are lots of people with only a mild vulnerability that might never become BP or anything like it that may get a (brief) psychosis.

THC concentrations vary and higher concentrations don't necessarily mean a greater chance of psychosis, in my limited but for me, impressive, experience. It's weird how it works. I have no problem with hashish.

Yeah he's willing to go. He doesn't know I'm trying to get him in at this clinic. He isn't going to want to go there but I'm hoping I can talk him into by explaining that it's just for now and we can get into the better places eventually. He should be on his way home now...

[cakeladie]

I just watched the news and people are using chemical harmful chemicals to make their pot grow faster and bigger. It has killed some a animals that have gotten into it. It's just a thought but maybe he got some really bad toxic pot. And it takes like 8 weeks for it to get out of your system