Cannabinoid-induced psychotic disorder: A descriptive study

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: where cannabis use is very much prevalent in India, the occurrence of cannabis-induced psychotic disorder is not uncommon. Its symptoms are highly variable and become more ambiguous when comorbid with another psychiatric illness. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to find out the phenomenology of psychotic symptoms due to cannabinoids use among patients who attended a tertiary care hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a hospital-based cross-sectional study conducted over 3 months. Patients age group between 18 and 65 years, satisfying the criteria for psychotic disorder due to cannabinoids use (F12.5) according to International Classification of Disease-10 Diagnostic Criteria for Research were included in the study. Patients having a history of other psychiatric illness or general medical condition that needs medical attention were excluded from the study. The Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale is used to evaluate psychiatric symptoms. Descriptive statistics are used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Out of 30 patients of cannabinoids use psychosis, the most common type was found to be predominantly manic symptoms (F12.55), followed by schizophrenia-like (F12.50), followed by predominantly depressive symptoms (F12.54), and followed by others. The most common cannabinoid-induced psychiatric symptoms found are unusual thoughts, hostility, grandiosity, excitement, suspiciousness, and followed by others. CONCLUSION: Cannabinoid-induced psychotic disorders have symptoms very similar to various psychiatric illnesses. It is very much essential to identify and distinguish it from other psychotic disorders at an early stage to manage it effectively.