Ask the doctor - mental health

Cannabis and mental illness

My son has used cannabis for several years, so I was relieved when it was ‘downgraded’ to a class C drug, as I thought this meant new research had shown it was safer. But I’ve heard cannabis has been linked to mental illness, so should I still be worried?

Cannabis has been linked to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. It doesn't have these effects on everyone who takes it - but it's difficult to predict who will be affected. Factors such as the age at which you start, the amount you smoke, the form you use (one form of marijuana, known as ‘skunk', is particularly dangerous) and your natural vulnerability to mental illness may all play a part. As well as this unpredictable risk, it's thought three marijuana joints a day can do as much damage as 20 cigarettes. So while, for most people, the risks of cannabis aren't nearly as great as those associated with heroin, cocaine, etc, I'm afraid the downgrading doesn't mean you can be complacent. Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

 

Ginseng

I swear by ginseng to help me concentrate, but my sister says its worth has never been proved and I’m wasting my money. Is she right?

No, you are, because when taken regularly at a standard dose of 400mg a day, ginseng has been proved to help mental concentration. It may also help with tiredness and resistance to viral illnesses. It's fairly safe at this standard dose, as long as you don't take it for more than 12 weeks at a time. Taking high doses for longer than this can cause quite marked side effects, including high blood pressure, skin rashes and sleep disturbance. So feel free to carry on using it with caution.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Psychologist, psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst

I find the job titles of psychologist, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst very confusing. What’s the difference?

I have to admit it can be desperately difficult to work through all the jargon in medicine, and medical titles can be particularly baffling. Psychiatrists, psychologists and psychoanalysts all look at the workings of the mind. However, psychiatrists are medical doctors. They do basic medical training, then specialise in psychiatry, which makes them medically qualified to treat diseases or disorders of the mind. Psychologists have studied, and are qualified in, psychology. Clinical psychologists often advise people who are going through a difficult time about self-help mechanisms and coping techniques to help them overcome their problems. Psychoanalysis was developed specifically to study psychiatric disorders - that is, disorders of the mind. The basis of psychoanalysis is that these disorders can be traced back to forgotten events or subconscious ideas in the patient's mind. The psychoanalyst tries to bring these back to the patient's conscious memory, in order to treat the disorder.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping
 

Panic attacks

Why does breathing in and out of a brown paper bag help during panic attacks? I’ve sworn by it for years, but my family think I’m just being silly.

It's amazing how well low-tech solutions work, isn't it? When you're having a panic attack, you breathe too fast, which means you breathe out too much carbon dioxide - and that can make you feel dizzy. Re-inhaling air you've exhaled into a paper bag replaces some of the carbon dioxide, creating an instant air balance and stopping the dizziness. If you're having panic attacks frequently, though, discuss them with your GP.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, Good Housekeeping

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The answers to specific problems may not apply to everyone and are not substitutes for professional medical advice. If you're worried, see your GP. For more information, visit www.netdoctor.co.uk