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Benzo question

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 11/16/2015 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Everyone,

This question is mainly for those who use benzos as needed rather than maintenance. Any of you who suffer from rumination, negative thinking and guilt/hoplelessness. Do you find if your thinking is spiraling out of control does the benzo help to relax you so you can at least break the cycle for the time being?

AK
Posted 11/16/2015 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
this would be something best discussed with your dr but from my own personal experience..taking a benzo helps to calm you for a few hours but they are really not designed to treat depression

from your posts i believe you are taking lexapro which a first line treatment for depression..

if thats not working for you there are lots of other avenues that may work for you such as snri's, tricyclics or maoi's (not to mention talk therapy, exercise, diet, lifestyle changes, support groups, passage of time)

the important thing for you to know is lexapro is usually the first thing a doctor will try..if that doesnt work you keep working with your doctor to find something that does..if you keep working at it you will come out the other side of this and you will be a stronger person for it..
Posted 11/16/2015 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Using a Benzo was the only way I could stop or interrupt irrational thinking, fears, anxiety, and panic. If I didn't take a benzo I would end up making irrational and impulsive decisions. It was actually quite scary after the fact. I took a benzo for 10 years and for the most part I used it as needed, although it was prescribed 3x a day.

To answer your question:
Yes, the benzo helped break the cycle of my thought process, it calmed mind and body.
Posted 11/16/2015 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you both for your answers! I haven't taken a benzo in about a month or so and have only taken it to fall back asleep if I woke up early in the morning with anxiety.

AK
Posted 11/16/2015 11:57 PM (GMT 0)
I found the benzos gave my brain a "rest". I would generally be good for a couple of days after taking 4mg of valium.
Posted 11/17/2015 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Benzos have also helped me break it of a negative thought spiral. They still do. I also use coping tools from therapy and take Zoloft, but a Benzo allows me to put a stop to things quickly when I need to.
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