Posted by MattDDS on September 30, 2002, at 23:32:04
In reply to Re: Anxiety Disoder Medication, PLEASE help, posted by viridis on September 30, 2002, at 10:07:32
I agree with viridis. For many people (myself included), benzos are vastly superior to any antidepressant for anxiety. Worry about addiction, etc. in most cases is unwarranted, and sometimes downright ridiculous. In my experience, Paxil withdrawal was **much** worse than withdrawing from any benzo! BTW, an interesting question: Why, with SSRI's, do they call it "discontinuation syndrome" (notice the benign connotation), while with benzos, it is "addiction" or "withdrawal"? Just an observation.
After a number of years of going through the antidepressant wringer, I have wound up on p.r.n. Klonopin. On average I will take it 3 times per week. Sometimes, when I am having a particularly difficult week, I will take more. This has worked for months to keep me quite stable.
For me, benzos have a somewhat curative effect. Seriously! If I try too long to "tough it out" without good relief from Klonopin, letting an anxiety spell drag on for too long, I become depressed. And we all know that depression drags in a whole other world of problems. Anyone else get this?
Viridis, how long have you taken Klonopin? Does it still retain it's magical effect on anxiety over time? Or do you find your dose escalating?
Great discussion guys. IMHO, the benzos are among the few drugs that REALLY get the job done.
Matt
poster:MattDDS
thread:121617
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020930/msgs/121755.html