[White Witch]

So this is my first post here, and hopefully I'm posting in the right section.
My post is twofold, and will be a long one, so here goes. My husband is diagnosed with several anxiety disorders which includes social anxiety, general anxiety, agoraphobia, and PTSD. We strongly suspect complex PTSD as well.
In 2010, we moved from Seward, Alaska to Seattle ,Washington which was a stressful time for us. He had a major breakdown shortly after. We recovered from it and established from the situation and finally was officially diagnosed with the above disorders (with the exception of the complex ptsd).
Anyhow, cannabis became legal in Washington in 2012 and the few studies out there about cannabis was rather limited. But what little research there was, it stated that it could help with PTSD issues. We gave it a try, and wow what a difference!! It has worked well until recently. We're feeling that it's now affecting him in a negative way, in regards to his anxiety levels and its benefits are counterproductive. Earlier this year he had to wean himself off of cytalapram because some of the negative side effects was anxiety symptoms which was one of the things he was diagnosed with! So over time, it was making things worse, not better. We're now wondering if cannabis is having the same affect. So my question is, is there anyone out there who has struggled to stop smoking? What has helped them?
The other question is, is we feel that moving to Seattle was a big mistake. We moved froma town of 3000 to a town of several million. We've read somewhere that those with anxiety and PTSD that one of the suggestions a change of scenery. We're thinking that moving back to a smaller city would be a good thing since living in Seward, his symptoms actually down to a minimum. Our son is now on his own and seems to be doing fine here in Seattle. The biggest challenge is money. Seattle has a huge housing crisis and we pay too much in rent. So a change is needed, but getting out seems impossible. I have no idea of how to approach the situation. Low income housing is getting more difficult to come by and what is available is in neighborhoods that would make things worse for us dealing with his mental health issues.

[Skeezyks]

Hello White Witch: I'm sorry you find yourself in these difficult circumstances. I cannot comment on them myself. However since this is your first post here on PC... to PsychCentral… from the Skeezyks! May the time you spend here be of benefit. By the way, there is a Smoking Cessation forum here on PC:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/smoking-cessation/

And also a general addictions forum as well:

https://forums.psychcentral.com/addictions/

You might want to consider posting in these forums with regard to your husband's smoking concerns if you have not already done so.

PsychCentral is a great place to get information as well as support for mental health issues. The more you post, & reply to other members’ posts, the more a part of the community you will become. Plus there are social groups you can join & chat rooms where you’ll be able to connect with other PC members in real time (once your first 5 posts have been reviewed & approved.) Lots of great stuff! So please keep posting!

I'm just curious about what type of cannabis your husband is smoking? Because a change in types might help. I also have severe anxiety and use cannabis to cope.

My anxiety was way worse living in a big city than the small town we are now. I know your situation is a bit complicated, but I would think a smaller town would be easier on the anxiety.

Anyways welcome to the forums.

[White Witch]

Originally Posted by TheSadGirl

I'm just curious about what type of cannabis your husband is smoking? Because a change in types might help. I also have severe anxiety and use cannabis to cope.

My anxiety was way worse living in a big city than the small town we are now. I know your situation is a bit complicated, but I would think a smaller town would be easier on the anxiety.

Anyways welcome to the forums.

He tries to stay away from certain sativa, most Indicas do pretty well for. Fortunately the place we order from is pretty good about getting the information listed as to what are the negative and positive side effects of each strain. He also keeps a journal of which does better for him and which ones don't. It just seems that lately, cannabis in general is affecting the PTSD/anxiety worse than usual. Every time he tries to quit, it's like he ends up having a Jekyll/Hyde moment repeatedly back to back.

[eskielover]

Remember as with any drugs like thatbthere is a dependency that exists (NOT ADDICTION) & weening off is critical to avoid the really bad effects of just going cold turkey.

On the issue of small town vs large....I was born & raised in Los Angeles Calif. At the age if 54 after many mental healrh issues including PTSD (& a 33 year bad marriage) I moved myself to a small town of 8000. I am no longer LOST in the crowd. People are wonderful. Wish I had done it long before 10 years ago. I can see where smalltowns are beneficial. Go figure, I have better therapy here than I ever found in the big city.

Maybe you could just find a small town out & away from Seattle & still be in the vacinity