GAIA INQUEST: Dorset teenager experienced 'manic episodes'
Concerns were raised about her cannabis use
An inquest has been told Dorset teenager Gaia Pope suffered 'ongoing manic episodes' but she was reluctant to give up cannabis.
Concerns had been raised about the effect of using the drug on her mental health.
The 19 year old from Swanage went missing on November 7th 2017, with her naked body found in undergrowth near the coastal path 11 days later.
She died from hypothermia.
The latest evidence has included details that Gaia had suffered 'manic episodes' for about a month before she died.
Psychiatrists also found her cannabis use was adding to her feelings of confusion after having epileptic seizure.
Gaia was having between 5 and 10 small seizures a day, but suffered more serious once that left her hospitalised at times.
Louise Welsh, a senior mental health nurse with the local community mental health team, who conducted a meeting with Gaia at her home, told the inquest that she agreed with psychiatrists that she did not need ongoing care.
But she said she had discussed cannabis use with Miss Pope-Sutherland:
"We discussed the risk cannabis can cause to someone's mental state, including the increased risk of psychotic episodes. She was very clear with me that she didn't think cannabis impacted her mental state."
"Sometimes you have to wait for the person to be ready, we have to wait for that person to recognise that (cannabis) might not be helpful for their health and wellbeing and make a conscious decision to make that change.
"I was very confident that she was very clear that she did not feel it impacted her mental state."
She added that Gaia was not showing signs of distress or low mood, had good eye contact, and was not displaying other red flags such as poor personal care.
Clinicians who assessed Miss Pope-Sutherland when she was readmitted to hospital suffering from manic episodes in October 2017 are due to give evidence on Thursday (5th May).
The inquest continues.