| A
female
,
anonymous
writes: I'm ill at the moment and the doctors have taken blood tests to try and work out what's wrong with me. I think It's to do with depression as I've never felt this low before, and as a result I have been smoking weed occassionally. Will this show up in a blood test? Will they still take me seriously as a patient? Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
reader, anonymous, writes (23 November 2006):
It will only show up in a blood test if they actually look for it. So, unless they have told you they are testing for drugs, they will not find it.
If you are feeling depressed you need to stop smoking weed immediately. It does not help with depression, it is likely to worsen it.
If you tell your doctor you smoke cannabis they are likely to believe that it is playing a part in your depression (and - they would probably be right) That is not to say they won't take you seriously, but they probably won't think it's a good idea to carry on smoking it.
I suggest you speak to a drugs information line about depression and cannabis use. I recommend Talk to Frank (http://www.talktofrank.com/home_html.aspx), this is what replaces the governments national drugs helpline, I have worked with this organisation and can assure you they are very knowledgable about mental health and drug use. In particular I quote from the cannabis page:
"There’s also increasing evidence of a link between cannabis and mental health problems such as schizophrenia. If you’ve a history of mental health problems, depression or are experiencing paranoia, then taking this drug is not a good idea."
Giving up weed, even if you are smoking it occasionally, whilst you are depressed can be difficult, but it is highly rewarding. If you really want to tackle your depression, and see an end to it, I would put in plans to give it up and see how you go. It's worth a try, isn't it?
A
female
reader, Sally R. Cinnamon +, writes (23 November 2006):
 If the doctor doesn't take you seriously, get a new one. Your priority right now is to make yourself better... concentrate on that. It is really good to hear you've had the courage to go to the doctors and take tests. Don't let anything get in the way of getting the help you need. Good luck with finding answers to your illness!
...............................
|
