Welcome Harry.

Pot does feel like it helps. But you should be careful -- it is a form of self medication if you are doing it to block out pain and emotion.

I used to self medicate with pot, and two years later I was a much more depressed young lady and became quite manic without it.

I had to clean up completely and then I had to deal with my issues all over again.

Excessive use while depressed can also trigger other side affects if you are depressed such as drug induced psychosis.

If you relate it to moderation and are able to be moderate, it can be OK. But self medicating is never moderate.

In my opinion, if you are having a small joint every 1-2 days, after your days tasks and responsibilities have been fulfilled, well maybe that is OK, akin to one glass of wine with dinner. But then, I still don’t think it is good to be under the influence of things like drugs or alcohol when dealing with psychological issues.

My advice:

• Get exercising. Swimming or jogging or long brisk walks if you are unfit are best.

• Counselling – ensuring you are open to it and doi9ng whatever homework you are told to do in between sessions.

• Keeping up a neat and easy routine in your life, with a few little challenges that are fun and engaging.

• Use this site and the caring wonderful people who frequent it as your mentor, your friend, your collaborator. Read around, create a trauma diary, interact in threads, and read, read, read and research as much as you can.

Best advice any one ever gave me:

You have to do exercise until you get to the point that all you are thinking about is the next breathe, how to get that breathe.

Anxiety makes us feel like we can’t breathe, it stuns us and makes us feel paralysed when we are depressed. It’s purpose is quite the opposite, it’s telling us to get moving, both mentally and physically – it’s telling us to align our mind and body together to work as one. Depression tells us to stop all of that. So it can get very confusing at best, if we don’t do some simple things about it.
Exercise teaches you to breathe again and alleviates anxiety. Anxiety is a very special human indicator that tells as it’s time to speed up and fight or flight. Exercise allows you to nurture that instinct and give you time out from excessive thinking. If all you are able to do is think about where to get your next breathe from, there ‘aint much time to think about anything else. So while you are physically tiring your body you are giving your mind a rest. And by doing this you are teaching your body and mind to work as one. This will not be the answer to all your problems but it will certainly help you alleviate anxiety, giving you space to concentrate on your healing. I promise – so try it.

Look forward to hearing from you again.

Best wishes. x