Posted by zeugma on April 17, 2006, at 16:08:04
In reply to Benzo-phobia + docs -- why, why, why?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 17, 2006, at 15:11:02
> Okay, so I've never personally taken a benzo (although I wish I had).
>
I have :-)> But just why are so many docs completely against them? (particulary here in the UK).
>
there are plenty in the U.S. who denounce them too.> Okay so I understand that there is an aspect of physical dependance and tolerance, but surely thats not enough to warrent the extreme "benzo-phobia" that you see. I mean, these docs hand out SSRIs like candy, and last time I checked, SSRI withdrawal (or even the side effects) was no piece of cake, particulary as GPs are fairly clueless about the withdrawals themselves.
>
if they don't know about the withdrawals, of course they don't worry about them. Ignorance is bliss.
> Why is it acceptable to be an elderly woman and be prescribed benzos, but for other people -- no way!??? I understand that they may have been on them for a good number of years, but still?
>
What I have heard is that if you have become 'dependent' on benzos, then a GP will prescribe them. Sort of like being a 'ruined woman' in Victorian novels- once you had been 'ruined' no one cared about what horrible things you were up to, as your moral taint was ineradicable. The GP's seem concerned for those who haven't taken them yet. You don't want to be 'ruined' for life.
> Benzos seem to have helped an awful lot of people and I can't understand where this extreme benzo phobia orginated. I mean, I haven't seen anybody here who is against benzos the way that some people are against SSRIs.
>They work very well for their intended purpose.
> I just don't get it.That's because you're not 'ruined' yet.
-z
poster:zeugma
thread:634181
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060417/msgs/634205.html