Citation

Farini Duggan J, Aust M. Acta Psiquiatr. Psicol. Am. Lat. 1976; 22(1): 63-70.

Vernacular Title

Psicosis por marihuana

Copyright

(Copyright © 1976, Fundacion Acta Fondo para la Salud Mental)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

937040

Abstract

Five chronic consumers of marihuana (through periods of 1 to 3 years) were studied and given a complete set of psychological tests (Rorschach, Wechsler, Phillipson, Psicodiagnóstico Miokinético). Brief case histories and tests results are presented for each subject. In all cases, marked depression, and anxiety, schizoid features, and poor control were detected. In four patients self-aggresion, inversion of sleep cycle, weakness of will and mental confusion were registered. In four subjects a definite psychotic profile was detected through Rorschach tests. Three patients suffered from visual hallucinations, and trends to sexual promiscuity. Memory failure and gaps were apparent in two cases. One patient developed a short-lasting paranoid delusion. Two patients showed no sign of abnormality in their E.E.G. The syndrome shows that marihuana abuse may lead to toxic psychosis similar to schizophrenia. The importance of a systematic use of complete sets of psychological tests is discussed, although their value for a differential diagnosis between toxic marihuana-psychosis and schizophrenia remains to be established. The need for careful search on marihuana abuse is emphasized. Regarding the physiopathology of marihuana-psychosis, some recent findings of neurochemistry are discussed, in particular those of biological theories of schizophrenia. This approach allows a parallel between both disorders. The possibility of both being accounted for by a common metabolic defect is suggested. Finally, the current contention that marihuana is harmless or innocuous is called to revision.

Language: es