Two/three weeks ago, my psychiatrist decided to lower my clonazepam dose. She wants to taper off until I don't need benzos as a sleeping aide, and will wait until late Feb before tweaking my medication.

I've been on clonazepam for a year, and this transition has been difficult. The quality of my sleep has declined, I wake up every few hours during the night. My dreams are very vivid and unpleasant.

Consequently, I'm a tired zombie throughout the day. Paradoxically, even though I'm tired, actually falling asleep is a chore and incredibly difficult. My body resists my attempts at simple bedtime relaxation techniques (e.g. deep breathing and meditation).

Does anyone have suggestions for coping with benzodiazepine withdrawal? I understand that it's a difficult process, and that my doctor thinks it necessary to wean my body away from addiction/dependence.