Posted by bassman on June 28, 2006, at 6:46:09
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » Dr. Bob, posted by yxibow on June 28, 2006, at 1:02:29
Just because I was 100% wrong last time won't keep me from offering another unsolicited (and probably, unwanted) opinion.:>} I think both Dr. Bob and yxibow are representing points of view that are very important. Dr. Bob doesn't wants his site to be open, but respectful, for many reasons that I can think of-and he feels that is worth monitoring. OTOH, perhaps yxibow is concerned, even passionate, about the idea that benzodiazepines are often prescribed reluctantly or not at all and taken reluctantly, if at all, because of those who would take the stance that benzodiazepines are seldom, if ever, appropriate, like the Ashton site. It also furthers the common belief in society that psychoactive meds-and mental health problems in general-can probably be cured by a nice walk around the block. For those of us suffering from a mental illness, that is infuriating. I am currently suffering from panic disorder and no medication-except Xanax-has given me any relief from the intense fear and depression that infliction presents. I know I should take more Xanax; my doc says I should take more Xanax-I really need to do something until an AD or something else can take over. So why don't I-I know intellectually that's the thing to do? Emotionally, I can't get the bad press benzodiazepines have gotten out of my head. So from my point of view, I would have liked to the see the Ashton site say something like “while benzodiazepine therapy can play an important function in relieving the distress of some mental illnesses, in some cases, benzodiazepine therapy is worth discontinuing-especially if the patient is in the unfortunate situation of taking a large dose of benzodiazepines that is causing severe side effects without any apparent therapeutic advantage. One approach to withdrawal is presented here; namely to substitute Valium for the benzodiazepine being used and to withdraw from the Valium. For 50-60% of the population, this transfer to Valium is unnecessary because the person can directly withdraw without significant discomfort; additionally, many people find they can discontinue, as long as they carefully taper the withdrawal, from the med they are using".
I see very positive things in what both of you have said.
poster:bassman
thread:658352
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060623/msgs/662133.html