Amit: Non Drug Induced Psychosis

[Amit]

I dont take antypsychotics but get akathisia once in a few weeks.It started when I used to smoke weed but now I dont smoke weed It has been 2 months since I quit pot.But in this time akathisia has striked twice and always at night time before going to bed.My psychatrist says I have no mental illness and akathisia will go away after some time and I should concentrate on studies.Akathisia is worse than the worst dream someone ever had.Please tell me if it can be permanent or will it go away and never return I am young I want to do something good in life but whenever akathisia strikes evrything shatters for a day or two.I take pacitane 2mg whenevr akathisia strikes it works after 2 hours and I suffer until then and it makes my body yellow.

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[Petunia]

Welcome Amit,

I'm sorry to hear you have been experiencing these uncomfortable sensations and symptoms. Usually akathisia is caused by drugs, either taking them or as a withdrawal effect of stopping them.

 

Please would you be able to describe what this feeling is like? Does your psychiatrist have you taking any medication at all?

 

Psychosis, which you have as your title is different from akathisia. Are you experiencing akathisia or psychosis?

 

Why has your doctor given you pacitane, its used to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease or involuntary movements due to the side effects of certain psychiatric drugs (antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine/haloperidol).

 

When we have a little more information about your situation, we will be able to be more helpful.

 

Petunia.

[Amit]

I smoked marijuana for 3 years and also did codeine syrup for 1.5 half years.Suddenly by the start of 2015 I woke up at night with a strange feeling as if someone has cursed me and I wont feel normal again my heartbeat was fast and I was restless  .Somehow I managed to sleep that night.Next morning I called my psychatrist and told her about the strange feeling .she prescribed me pacitane 2mg.I took it and felt alright.Then for a few days I didnt smoke pot and stopped taking codeine syrup.After somedays I smoked pot again and before I went to bed that strange feeling of inner restlessness returned I again took pacitane.I kept smoking weed and I would pop a pill of pacitane to avoid that strange feeling.Then I met my psychatrist personally and she said it is marijuana induced psychosis.So I stopped smoking marijuana and 10 days after stopping that feeling again striked me then for about a month and a half I was okay.But on Monday night that feeling returned It was not that worse this time but I became restless and had strange thoughts and I couldnt stop thinking.I called my psychatrist again and this time she told me it is akathisia and I will be fine if I concentrate on my studies and workout.I dont smoke weed not drugs no alchohal only cigrettes I smoke.I want to know what can be the reason of this feeling I cant understand if it is akathisia or psychosis and how to get rid of it.It completely shatters me I have pledged to never do drugs again and live a healthy life but whenever this feeling strikes me I loose all my hope.Please help me know what is wrong.(I stayed in drug rehab center for 2 months I never got this feeling there.But now when I am out of there it has returned Eventhough I have stopped smoking pot drugs and alchohal and I dont take any kind of medications)Hope it will never return again.

[Petunia]

Thanks for filling in a few more details Amit. It looks to me like you have had a bad reaction to your previous heavy use of marijuana and maybe codeine. We are a site which helps people with tapering and withdrawal from antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs and there doesn't appear to be any of those kinds of drugs involved so I'm not sure how to help apart from suggest that you will recover over time if you take care of yourself.

 

What you have described doesn't sound like psychosis, that's when you lose touch with reality. I don't think you believe someone has put a curse on you, its just that you feel unwell and your mind is trying to understand what has happened.

 

A sensation of inner restlessness can be part of akathisia, often when you have it, there is an overwhelming urge to move or pace to try and stop the sensation, but it doesn't stop. See: Akathisia vs restlessness, anxiety, agitation - Symptoms and ...

 

You are quite lucky with the doctor you have, most of them would have prescribed a cocktail of drugs, including an anti-psychotic.

 

Were you given any medications in the rehab center?

 

If you stay drug free and live a healthy lifestyle, I'm sure in time you will recover and these symptoms will eventually go away. Recovery from psyche drugs usually happens in a windows and waves kind of pattern, perhaps that's what's happening with you.

 

The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization

[Amit]

Thanks a lot for helping me.I never took any medicines in rehab.Although I still did drugs after getting out from there that might be the reason that feeling increased and hope I will be okay as now I am clean from 2 months .I really think that window and wave is the reason I get that strange feeling from time to time.I never thaught that smoking marijuana and even alchohal can cause so serious problems.Most of my friends smoke pot whole day and they just enjoy themselves and are having good tim.And my doctor is really good she wont even ask for fees and prescribe me drugs on phone.Can you tell me some ways to be mentally fit and boost my confidence as I have some anxiety depression problems too but not very serious.

[Petunia]

Therapy with a good counselor can often be helpful for anxiety and depression. They can help you uncover what's causing it and give you techniques for changing your beliefs, thoughts and behaviour, which is usually what's underneath it. Sometimes its caused by past trauma and having someone else help you work through those feelings can be helpful too.

 

Its important to find someone who is good, who you resonate with, staying with someone who is not suited to you can make things worse.

 

Having a good diet, getting regular exercise and having a healthy lifestyle with activities you enjoy and find challenging also support good mental and emotional health. Sitting around all day smoking pot is not going to benefit anyone's health long term.

 

Also see:

 

CBT for anxiety, depression, and withdrawal symptoms. Edited October 29, 2015 by Petunia
added link

[Amit]

So should I relax akathisia wont be there for lifetime?

[Fresh]

Hi Amit , welcome to the site.

 

As you get further away from your drug use , all your symptoms , including the akathisia , are most

likely to resolve.

You can help your recovery along as Petunia suggested: lots of nutritional food , some exercise and

getting involved with some healthy people and activities.  The friends who sit all day and smoke pot can't

help you now , so you're going to need to meet some new friends.

 

Best wishes ,  Fresh