I am a control freak.

[miloserp]

So I have recently stopped smoking weed indefinitely after years of smoking and not smoking because I simply do not like the effects and it causes me anxiety to even be in the vicinity of weed. I have always been a bit of a control freak but I have now a new problem where if I smell weed smoke I instantly start having a panic attack and it ruins my day. I know that I cannot keep living like this because there is weed everywhere in America and I cannot avoid marijuana as much as I try. Today I was driving behind some "ganster" guys going out to a beach and I just knew they were going to blow some smoke in my face. Sure enough I see smoke billowing out and even with my windows up I still smell it. It just kind of pissed me off because after that I felt anxious and panicky for the rest of the day. I am already taking an anti depressant called celexa but I am wondering if an OCD medication would be a good idea as well. I am tired of living my life trying to plug my nose.

 

[Snarky91]

People have a tendency for drug taking to address symptoms, ignoring the cause underlying it all. As long as they smile and feel good in the end, everything is dandy.
The harsh reality is that depression is a natural reaction occurring in the brain. It serves as an alarm, just as pain does, that something is wrong in our life or our environment and must be addressed. Dispensing medications for depression is akin to a doctor giving a cancer patient morphine. We might attenuate the symptoms but in the long run humanity is only getting weaker and ignoring essential biological conditions which are leading to such high rates of sustained, clinical depression.
Natural selection will sort everything out as you can push the natural conditions of a species only so far before there is a violent readjustment.

 

[miloserp]

I just don't understand how I can have a better day if I tell myself I haven't smelled weed rather than a day that is ruined by its pungent all encompassing aroma.

 

[Mugz]

Another medication to control the panic attacks on a short term basis may be useful, but what you really need is some sort of therapy to get rid of the association that you have formed with the smell of weed, and the panic attacks that it causes. Hypnotherapy can be very useful in situations like this, as can CBT. I would look into both options, and also bring this up with your GP.

 

[Dave]

^ This. I'd really recommend seeing a psychologist, just to get an idea as to what your options are for dealing with your anxiety. IME, medication isn't a great long-term solution for anxiety, but if it is coupled with good therapy and is removed as soon as possible then it can be a useful transitioning/coping tool. Just be sure that you're getting some proper therapy as well as medication.

Panic attacks cannot be dealt with well on their own. See a psychologist; you'll be so glad that you did.

 

[miloserp]

good ideas.

Thank you for thr good advice, I am going to talk to my psychiatrist about it. I realized it's not really the weed but my mind trying to make a reason for my panicky mind. I am a sensitive fellow, as you can tell. The most crazy dumb thing happened. I was in a starbucks where there could be absolutely no smell of weed and I got the same kind of panic attack. I actually believe that sometimes I smell weed when I don't such as olfactory hallucinations. It gets to the point where I ask people "do you smel weed?" And they say no, but I still think ismell it and freak out. Even when I pass by plants that smell like weed I get a panic attack. I think it's a control issue and it's weird because weed used to be something I enjoyed.

 

[n3ophy7e]

Hi miloserp, I would also like to recommend that you seek some therapy for your anxiety and panic attacks. With time and by practicing the right methods you can definitely overcome your anxiety without having to rely on meds long-term.

As Mugz said, another anti-anxiety medication could be of benefit in the short-term, while you're learing to deal with your symptoms. However therapy should be viewed as a much more reliable long-term solution.

Keep us updated with how you're going

 

[Dave]

Oh, and having worked at Starbucks for way too fracking long, I can say that some of their African coffees smell somewhat like weed. Not enough to actually smell like it, but enough to evoke the memory. If you're getting panic attacks from that, I'd strongly suggest seeing a therapist, stat. Panic responses that are tied to specific stimuli can generalize quickly.