DXM Psychosis?

[extremist]

Hi folks, you may recognize me from this older thread about my DXM symptoms. Sorry for making a new one, but that one's died and there have been recent developments.

A few days after I made the thread, I joined a queue to see a doctor. Yesterday I was able to. He dismissed HPPD and said DXM isn't potent enough to cause any sort of brain damage (actually saying the cannabis from months before was more dangerous.) He told me he thinks I have psychosis and referred me to a psychiatrist.

I will see the psychiatrist for my anxiety, if anything. But I'm wondering if psychosis, as a diagnosis, fits these symptoms better than HPPD or physical damage:

1. Visual snow
2. Dissociation (varying better or worse daily, but never gone)
3. Trouble with memory and word recall when dissociated

Thanks a lot for reading; I hope somebody is able to provide some insight on what's going on.

 

[extremist]

Sorry to post so much! I just saw the psychiatrist and, after an interview, they told me they ruled out it being a psychotic disorder. They told me my best bet was to be put on a waiting list for a neurologist and advised me that it will take up to 15 months. That's a pretty long wait for somebody that may not even be able to help, but I guess it can't hurt to get on there early.

 

[sekio]

These are very typical post-DXM symptoms, they are generally aggravated with cannabis use too. They are not an indication of psychosis or brain damage. The best theory I have heard for them is just a heightened awareness of the strange bahviour of the human visual system, or residual traces of DXM or its metabolites still hanging around. (See, for instance, the ganzfield illusion, or the presence of "floaters" in healthy sober individuals, for evidence that "snow" is fairly normal)

Generally the symptoms persist for up to 3 months at maximum, but if you focus on living your life and don't worry too much you will regain equilibrium soon enough. Getting plenty of sleep and a good amount of excercise to improve circulation and metabolism will also speed the process.

It may seem like somewhat of a tangent, but you may want to see an optometrist. Visual snow and "dissociation" can actually be symptoms of degrading visual acuity, too.

This sort of symptomology is very common esp. after higher-dose DXM. Unfortunately I don't think there are any treatments aside from time that I would reccomend.

 

[extremist]

Thanks a lot for the post. I'm hoping it is something that'll go away soon!

I wouldn't say the dissociation is primarily visual. I had a brief eye exam at the doctor and I had the same 20/30 vision from before, and it'd be a huge coincidence if my eyes happened to degrade at the same time I tried DXM.

 

[Noid]

I have had very similar symptoms as yours, I had developed mild derealization from regular use of cannabis, so i stopped using it altogether and the symptoms eventually went away. So you may just have to rough it out for some time

 

[Halif]

Hi extremist!

As someone who's had similar issues in the past with DXM and other drugs (particularly dissociatives) I think Sekio's post was very helpful and accurate. And this part sounds really simple -

if you focus on living your life and don't worry too much you will regain equilibrium soon enough

- but I think it's one of the most powerful aspects of speeding up your recovery.

Worrying about things can really make them worse because you're supplying them with your energy and focus. If you're able to get on with life and give as little excess thought as possible to those things, they'll clear up nice and quick.

 

[extremist]

I do my best to keep my mind occupied, but it can be really hard sometimes. I've started eating better and running, which I'm sure is good for me no matter what. I also got a dog to cheer me up and motivate me to get outside more. If I keep this lifestyle up, maybe I can say that this was a good experience overall.

 

[any major dude]

Most drug induced psychoses are transient, glad they didn't try to label you with that "diagnosis," as it doesn't really have a standard clinical definition, and in many places there's still a stigma attached to such things that is unhelpful to say the least. Sounds like you were basically having some depersonalization/derealization that can be common after difficult or intense drug experiences. Time will most likely be the best thing for you.

Sounds like you're off to a good start with the eating better & running. Do make sure to get enough sleep as well. Sleep deprivation can seriously exacerbate a broad range of mental & physical issues. Abstinence from psychoactive drugs is advisable as well. Even cannabis can make recovery from this type of thing more difficult & time consuming. If cannabis is something you enjoy & would like to get back to at some point definitely ease your way back into it, but I'd still give it a couple of months before trying anything at all. Glad to see things are looking up!

 

[extremist]

Yeah, I've cut out all drugs, including things like caffeine. I think I'm going to start taking piracetam because I've heard reports of that helping.

I should also say that I've been eating well and running for about a month now and it hasn't really helped yet. But that doesn't mean it won't, and it certainly helps with my anxiety if anything. Thanks a lot for the posts!