mental illness and psychadelics

[Blackandblue]

I've had a fairly stressful life. For various reasons, I've been repeatedly recommended to professionals, informally, by experts. For purely selfish (and as I am starting to realise, perhaps bad with respect to my own) reasons, coupled with high hopes for my ability to overcome these difficulties, I have avoided commiting to anything that might officially and 'irreversibly' label me one thing or another in the eyes of society and the law. I fear stigma and medication that might be more harmful than they are useful, in my case.

The problems in question are:

(possible) PTSD --> well on the way to recovery with the help of counseling

(possible) schitozophrenia (I highly doubt this one) --> characterised by auditory hallucinations (that I can distinguish from reality - so they are more disturbing, scary and annoying than a cause for danger IMO), paranoia and though disorder (the last being almost cosmetic!)

(possible) [early stage] psychosis --> several 'unofficial' experts (I see psychoanalysts (lol, but they frequently have science based degrees), and research psychiatrists/psychologists because they aren't given the power to compel me to do anything, just recommend) have said I displace clear signs of early stage psychosis, at several times. I have never had a psychotic episode but I have had mental breakdowns.

(possible) depression --> child abuse?

Do you think DMT is still suitable for me?

I haven't asked this elsewhere, and of course I have blindsided the people who have recommended 'official' help for me, so do you think I should really see a doctor?
If I see a GP they have the power to refer me to a psychologist or a psychiatrist. All three professionals have the legal power to 'brand me' and two have the power to compel me to take medication. I worry, but I also understand that there are obvious gains here.

If you're answer is 'no', and you have read some of my other posts about my motivation in pyschadelics, then I'd like you to consider that I really am interested in this stuff and don't see much potential in the rest of my ability to interact in an interesting way with the universe. But this isn't to convince you! I'm half writing this to convince myself I think. I want your honest advice and any comments. Thanks!

Also, I'll write a trip report! Maybe it'll be hella interesting from the perspective of something with these possible problems. FOR SCIENCE if one day I get diagnosed I'll post details here for reference and comparison with other people that are mentally ill.

 

[tango]

No one here can make the decision for you. If you've done some research, you probably know by now that psychedelics can trigger bad episodes in people predisposed to mental disorders.

I don't understand your concerns about being 'branded': are you uncomfortable knowing yourself that a mental health professional diagnosed your with a mental condition? Because, you know, they don't stamp you on your forehead and don't share it with random people and agencies. And when they do share, it's primarily your condition itself that disqualifies you from certain occupations, not the fact that it was diagnosed (you wouldn't want to use an airline that hired pilots with hallucinations, would you?)

Go ahead and see any doctor you feel it might help your case. No one will go out of their way to have you committed (just don't tell them the voices ordered you to jump off a bridge or something)

 

[Philosopher]

You will not like to hear this: no. Some of your issues like PTSD and depression are issues that can be resolved in so,e cases with psychedlics. I wouldn't use DMT for this, but aya. Because of its meangiful human aspect. But the schizophrenia and psychosis can be easily worsened with ANY psychelic drug use. I wouldn't risk it. But if you decide to take a chance please start with very low doses and see how it affects your long term mental health before attempting higher doses.

 

[lerpoxel]

DMT requires an open mindset and a positive attitude towards anything new. I sense too much of fear in your posts. DMT will put you in a situation where u absolutely cant avoid what is going on. It could probably lead to severe psychosis and so on since that is the normal way of the human brain to save itself from overwhelming input.

*edit*

i just posted my impression and as always i might be wrong.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

Your neurotic tone, word use and sentence structure lead me to believe you may be autistic, perhaps having aspbergers syndrome.

This would have a lot of cross over with schizophrenic symptoms, but schizo would not quite fit because the mind would not be fractured.

As to PTSD, maybe you do have that, it is hard to tell from your posts so far.


There is more... in another thread you mention that you are prone to addiction and that you may have a thought disorder, these things also fit with aspie traits.

I'd expect you feel alien.

If that is the case you are ok, nothing wrong with yo per say, just differences that you have to work with.

 

[River of Thoughts]

I write in a similar way like the OP. You can't judge someone's mental problems by the way they write. There are many variables. Like English not being my first language(I tend to use brackets a lot as well, if you look back at my post history). He does not have Aspbergers because of the way he writes... that's just an ignorant claim. A lot of crap can get lost in translation with writing... you can't ever tell the persons tone by just the writing... that's why there are many fights on the internet because people misinterpret each others tones sometimes.

As for the OP, I would not recommend it. If you are concerned about being labelled etc. I think IBOGA assisted ceremony may be able to help you tho.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

He does not have Aspbergers because of the way he writes... that's just an ignorant claim.

No, it is an educated guess from someone very familiar with it.

I did not say he did have it, but that it would fit well.
The tone has nothing to do with it, the paragraph and sentence structure and other aspects like that indicate it. Sentence formation shows a lot about thought method.

I'd actually be willing to bet that if he took a diagnostic test honestly he would fall under the autistic category.

 

[tango]

I'd actually be willing to bet that if he took a diagnostic test honestly he would fall under the autistic category.

Let's not get excited here. First of all, he didn't ask to be diagnosed, he asked whether he should use psychedelics or not.

Seeing your eagerness to stick a label of mental illness on someone based on a couple of rather ordinary online posts, I think we could find your place in the DSM as well. And I bet you wouldn't be happy with that.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

It is not a mental illness and I have Aspergers syndome. It is a distinction, not a dysfunction and it is something to be proud of. NTs (neurotypicals) simply are not able to understand.


The personal information he provides suggests he is interested in why he is different or why he feels the way he does.

 

[JourneyToJah]

I suggest you would make the step with entheogens but do it in a ceremonial way. Do it with the intention of knowing the roots of your problems and make sure you are ready to face what is coming. Also make sure you are willing to dedicate some time of your life to knowing yourself if you want to heal.

Most of the mental illnesses can be "repaired" with entheogens as they tend to be caused by the person, not by something exterior.

Do not do it by yourself neither with your friends.

I hope this helped you, but in the end the call is yours to make, remember that

Much love sent your way

 

[SnozzleBerry]

Most of the mental illnesses can be "repaired" with entheogens as they tend to be caused by the person, not by something exterior.

Source?

 

[JourneyToJah]

Personal information that i learned from an accredited psychiatrist who works with entheogens to treat his patients.

I DO NOT claim that you can heal yourself taking drugs. I only said that there is a chance of getting healed if you dedicate yourself and do it right.

I'm sorry if I didn't express myself clear enough.

 

[SnozzleBerry]

Personal information that i learned from an accredited psychiatrist who works with entheogens to treat his patients.

From the Attitude:

Quality of information and discussion
If you post something as a fact, you have to be able to provide a reliable source for your argument. This depends contextually, but a peer-reviewed publication is an example of what could be a good source, and a random unknown website or what “someone said” could be an example of an unreliable source. If you state something as your opinion then please support that opinion with good reasoning. If you cannot do that then don't state your opinion at all since it's useless for others. This is not Facebook with like/dislike.

I DO NOT claim that you can heal yourself taking drugs. I only said that there is a chance of getting healed if you dedicate yourself and do it right.

Fwiw, you actually said:

Most of the mental illnesses can be "repaired" with entheogens as they tend to be caused by the person, not by something exterior.

Which is rather different from what you're now claiming.

Please take some time and read through the attitude. We take very seriously all advice given/statements made relating to health and well being (whether or not they involve entheogens), especially when those statements include unverified claims.

 

[JourneyToJah]

I am sorry, I didn't intend to misguide anyone.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction SnozzleBerry

Regarding this thread I will ask for some papers to back it up.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

Psychedelic therapy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I like a lot of what Rick Doblin has worked on regarding that topic.
He founded MAPS, lots of good information on the topic there:

MAPS.org - Support Psychedelic Science

Help Us Deliver Global Healing People like you—donors giving even just a few dollars each month—have funded our psychedelic research and the psychedelic renaissance that research inspired. Your tax-deductible contributions are what allow MAPS to pursue the urgent and challenging work of...

www.maps.org

 

[tango]

Personal information that i learned from an accredited psychiatrist who works with entheogens to treat his patients.

I didn't know that there were doctors authorized to work with entheogens outside a very small academic community doing research on a very specific target group (like terminally ill cancer patients).

However, if there is a doctor who does it and with great success, I'm sure many of us here would want to know more about this person. Please share.

 

[AlbertKLloyd]

I am aware of the existence of accredited psychiatrists who employ psychedelic therapy, but not legally. The practice was not stopped when the drugs became illegal, many who had experience employing them for this purpose felt that the effects were too important to not use the psychedelic agents, that the benefit of the therapy exceeded the harm entailed in the criminalization of these agents and the subsequent persecution and extortion of those who employ or possess them.

Psychedelic therapy largely went underground, but never went away. I heard that with the right counseling and chemical that psychiatrists were getting results in 6-8 hours that could take years of counseling, I also heard the success rate was better than with conventional therapy. Ironically psychedelic therapy would likely benefit individuals in the the law enforcement community more than it would the average person! (they become very desensitized)


DMT is not a good drug for therapeutic application in this context, it has too short of a duration and too intense of effects in typical use for a guided session.

 

[TheRawringDinosaur]

DMT will just make you say 0Hhh :0 :| :| a lot more. Whatever you're going to do you're going to do. I mean medical wise. And DMT won't cause any major upheaval if you have any sort of grip on yourself :want:

 

[tango]

I am aware of the existence of accredited psychiatrists who employ psychedelic therapy, but not legally. The practice was not stopped when the drugs became illegal, many who had experience employing them for this purpose felt that the effects were too important to not use the psychedelic agents, that the benefit of the therapy exceeded the harm entailed in the criminalization of these agents and the subsequent persecution and extortion of those who employ or possess them.

Psychedelic therapy largely went underground, but never went away. I heard that with the right counseling and chemical that psychiatrists were getting results in 6-8 hours that could take years of counseling, I also heard the success rate was better than with conventional therapy. Ironically psychedelic therapy would likely benefit individuals in the the law enforcement community more than it would the average person! (they become very desensitized)


DMT is not a good drug for therapeutic application in this context, it has too short of a duration and too intense of effects in typical use for a guided session.

I highly doubt the above and it sounds like a fairy tale to me. Any doctor who went trough the pains of medical school is very unlikely to risk his license and jail time for the sake of a patient. On top of that, the faster you cure them, the faster you lose them (as patients). And it's not exactly like you can encourage people to go tell their friends and families about what you're doing.

Furthermore, psychedelics were banned almost 50 years ago. What you're saying here is that generations of doctors passed on the 'secret' , father to son, risking it all just to help their patients. Yeah, right !

 

[lerpoxel]

I think part of it is true. There are still psychiatrists who treat their patients with psychedelics but i think its really rare and there isnt some kind of underground scene.

Check this:

@ 38 minutes.

Some doctor doing LSD therapy. Nevertheless you should watch the whole video