Benzodiazepines

As I mentioned in my last post, Benzodiazepines are another type of medication used to treat anxiety. They are a fast acting, taken as needed type of medication, that affects the neurotransmitter chemical, gamma-aminobutyric acid, to lower nerve activity in the brain.

 Some examples of Benzodiazepines include:

• alprazolam (Xanax)

• chlordiazepoxide (Librium)

• clonazepam (Klonopin)

• lorazapam (Ativan) 

• diazepam (Valium)

From personal experience I have learned that if a person is not taking the right dose or not taking them correctly, they can turn a person into a zombie. When my sister was taking them, she would become very lethargic, couldn't keep her eyes open for more than a few seconds, and couldn't complete a sentence without slurring her words and trailing off or passing out. This is one of the reasons Benzos are not prescribed as often as SSRIs are. It can be difficult for doctors to figure out the right dose on the first try and in addition users build up a tolerance so over time higher doses need to be taken to be effective. They have a high potential for addiction because the results are almost immediate and they can produce a euphoric high if too much is taken. Users can also experience severe withdrawals which is why it's recommended that users are weaned off the medication over time.

Benzodiazepines can be very effective at quickly stopping an anxiety or panic attack and can be used to treat other mental illnesses as well. The problem is though that they are often mis-used and have a high potential for addiction. They can be very dangerous if a user is not careful, but if they are used correctly and for a short amount of time they can be very helpful to people experiencing anxiety or panic attacks.

I have never personally taken Benzos, although I have spoken to my doctor about trying them for my panic attacks. But, after seeing the way my sister reacted to them, I am definitely weary about their potential for addiction and their harmful effects. It is nice to know though that there is another option other than taking an SSRI and for some people Benzodiazepines are definitely helpful. I do urge anyone who takes them or wants to take them, to just be careful and aware of the side affects and addiction potential and to use them with caution!!