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BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards
Benzo or SSRI for panic/anxiety?
- Thread starter Laurieann
- Start date
Thorns Have Roses
Bluelight Crew
Benzos should be prescribed only for short term use, or on an as needed basis, except in extreme cases. Not a great thing to be dependent on.
If you found the SSRI effective, some SSRIs are associated with weight gain more than others, so that'd be something to look into. Maybe an SNRI would work better as far as weight gain goes. And there's always stuff like gabapentin, hydroxyzine, buspirone, etc. etc.
If you found the SSRI effective, some SSRIs are associated with weight gain more than others, so that'd be something to look into. Maybe an SNRI would work better as far as weight gain goes. And there's always stuff like gabapentin, hydroxyzine, buspirone, etc. etc.
RobotRipping
Bluelighter
buspirone sucks IMO and for other's on here. Gabapentin i hear has the same weight gain issues. Some people respond well to escitalopram and zoloft (sertaline). IMO the more selective the SSRI the less side effects. They aren't great for panic/anxiety disorder though, even though every Dr on earth will argue otherwise.
I would take an SSRI if you're willing to go down that route and ask for a small benzo prescription as you adjust to the SSRI, as the first couple of weeks can cause many people to become agitated, irritated and restless. It's very common that Drs do this. Remember that SSRIs have a pretty bad withdrawal, although no Dr will tell you that.
I would take an SSRI if you're willing to go down that route and ask for a small benzo prescription as you adjust to the SSRI, as the first couple of weeks can cause many people to become agitated, irritated and restless. It's very common that Drs do this. Remember that SSRIs have a pretty bad withdrawal, although no Dr will tell you that.
Laurieann
Greenlighter
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2012
- Messages
- 14
Thanks, The doc would not prescribe a Benzo says they are "BAD" so she wanted to put me on Abilify which is a antipsychotic she said it works off label for anxiety.....I researched this drug and the side effects are insane including hair loss in a ton of people....HMMMjust what I need some damn hair loss so I am not filling that script.Called her back and she prescribed prozac although she said it may not work for anxiety???? WTH
Supeudol
Bluelighter
Haha. Nice one there. Yeah right. SSRI vs Benzo withdrawal - there is no fucking comparison to that question. Benzodiazepines are the hardest and most physically addictive drugs to come off of. They really fuck with your GABA-A Receptor, and the BZD Receptor. SSRI withdrawal is over in like a week or two, benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can last years... its not something you want to jump into. BTW SSRI's are all horseshit too. Honestly unless you are having severe anxiety and panic attacks, I would just try tough it out, get some exercise, eat healthy... change something in your life thats driving you nuts.
SSRIs the whole way, man. Benzodiazepines cause brain damage, cognitive dulling, and are a bitch and a half to withdraw from.
mrflowers00
Ex-Bluelighter
if it's panic attacks benzos are a must but if it's just anxiety then you may want to try an ssri
adam west
Bluelighter
^^^
yeah benzos on an as needed basis, ssri's long term
yeah benzos on an as needed basis, ssri's long term
I agree with above posters - SSRIs are great for mild anxiety but I think it's a bit much asking someone to deal with anything more than a,mild panic attack without xanax. Something that can be discontinued once the panic is under control. Personally I don't much like SSRIs but for anxiety I've found prozac very beneficial and if anything weight loss. After putting on a good 10kgs from seroquel I can totally sympathize - and weight worry is the shit for building anxiety.
Good luck
Good luck
RobotRipping
Bluelighter
unless you're being sarcastic i have to disagree with you here completely. I also have studies to back this up. No.1 benzos don't cause brain damage, their withdrawal may though. Cognitive dulling only happens at higher doses, and only for a small amount of people who after quitting benzo therapy, return to normal within 6 months. They are a bitch to withdraw from though, but taper, just like you would an SSRI.
SSRI withdrawal and benzo withdrawal have some commonalities. Benzo withdrawal does not a last yearor more, though the recovery may and adapting to life without them, that's a mix of physiological and psychological effects. Typically acute withdrawal will last from 2-4 weeks depending on your benzo of choice. Don't spread this bullshit benzo fear, if someone needs them, they need them. There are a ways to manipulate a Dr to get a benzo script (tho i can't say here or through PM) but needless to say it's done everyday as there are hoards of benzos on the street.
either way research each drug, either SSRI or benzo before you use it, each can have their own unique problems and benefits (though IME SSRIs are negative only).
SSRIs have been clinically shown to be USELESS for depression, unless it's severe depression and DO NOTHING for anxiety according to physiology (unless it's maybe a 5htc antagonist) through studies or from anecdotal reports, the odd person will placebo it up thinking it does something, which is fine, but for the rest of us, it doesn't do a thing.
sorry for my rant, not meant to be aggressive just to dispel some of the benzophobia in here.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
yup SSRI's are piles of shit.
i was tested on a few of em, all of them made me suicidal. fantastic stuff.
but robot, i dont know if suggesting benzos are really a good idea either. to be frankly honest i wish i'd never been introduced to psychiatric medicine, it's destroyed my mind.
the differences between quitting SSRI's and benzos, is that for me, i had no issue with SSRIs apart from electric shock syndrome. benzos, i feel as if i'm going fucking crazy.
ask for some time released melatonin to take at night. honestly that stuff is awesome.
i was tested on a few of em, all of them made me suicidal. fantastic stuff.
but robot, i dont know if suggesting benzos are really a good idea either. to be frankly honest i wish i'd never been introduced to psychiatric medicine, it's destroyed my mind.
the differences between quitting SSRI's and benzos, is that for me, i had no issue with SSRIs apart from electric shock syndrome. benzos, i feel as if i'm going fucking crazy.
ask for some time released melatonin to take at night. honestly that stuff is awesome.
Pill2Chill
Bluelight Crew
Benzo w/d is terrible, SSRI w/d is a walk in the park. I've gone through both, and comparing them is just ridiculous. PAWS from benzo w/d is also anything but a joke.
SSRI's may not work for everyone, but they can be useful for anxiety. They stabilize the mood, which for me was very unpleasant because I didn't feel anything anymore. They did however really help with my anxiety. Not feeling anything wasn't worth their benificial effects for me though. But saying they don't work against anxiety for everyone is simply not true.
SSRI's may not work for everyone, but they can be useful for anxiety. They stabilize the mood, which for me was very unpleasant because I didn't feel anything anymore. They did however really help with my anxiety. Not feeling anything wasn't worth their benificial effects for me though. But saying they don't work against anxiety for everyone is simply not true.
RobotRipping
Bluelighter
^^ i am not an adcovate for benzo therapy, unless it comes to the point where you're going to the psych ward or going to kill yourself from panic/anxiety. used on an as needed basis i find no issue with, for those of us who can control it.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
Ah I see robo. I am an advocate for benzo therapy in very short term situations only 1 week maximum. After this no more - I think they have immense therapeutic potential to be used safely say after a sitaution that has causes extreme anxiety or panic in an individual, but during benzo therapy should also be adjunct with CBT or therapy if not both.