Cannabis-induced psychosis or Cannabis-associated psychosis: Diagnostically no clear winner
Siddharth Sarkar, Srinivas Rajkumar, Yatan Pal Singh Balhara
Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour 2016 DOI: 10.4103/0971-8990.182094 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A single patient who was a heavy cannabis user presenting with psychotic symptoms |
| Topics | Cannabis |
| Key findings | The authors present a case in which the origin of psychotic symptoms in a heavy cannabis user could not be clearly labeled as cannabis-induced psychosis or a primary psychotic disorder. They contend that this distinction is important because it determines the need and duration of antipsychotic treatment and the relative focus on managing substance use, and they discuss management options for such insoluble diagnostic problems. |
Abstract
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug worldwide including India. The role of Cannabis in the causation of psychiatric disorders, especially psychosis remains debatable. Cannabis use has been reported to present with symptoms similar to those of schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder. The distinction between Cannabis-induced psychoses and primary psychotic disorder is important from management perspective as it would determine the need and duration of antipsychotic medications, as well as relative focus on the management of substance use. At times, however, such a distinction may be difficult to make. We present a case where we were faced with difficulty labeling the origin of psychotic symptoms in a patient who was otherwise a heavy user of Cannabis. Management options considered in the presence of insoluble diagnostic problem have also been discussed.