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sarahsweets · Apr 20, 2020, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DechanDawa

I think doctors should be more hesitant to prescribe SSRIs for everything under the sun. I hate SSRIs. I never had any problems with benzos. My dentist occasionally prescribes them for my bruxism. It is stupid for doctors to not prescribe them if they help a patient, with no side effects, for short term. They are muscle relaxers which is why they work well for bruxism...which is teeth grinding which usually includes jaw clenching...mostly while asleep.

Wellbutrin is an NDRI not an SSRI. I do agree that it seems like everyone under the sun will prescribe an SSRI for things, even things that they are not approved for. Some doctors who are not psychiatrists will just blanket prescribe them because they are afraid of benzos or do not want the responsibility of monitoring people on controlled substances. I feel conflicted about benzos. I have a small script for valium that I hardly ever take. But when I do take it its a lifesaver. I am on the fence when it comes to long term use. I think people can responsibly take them for years but physical dependence is nearly inevitable. I worry about people needing higher and higher doses due to tolerance. But for every person who has had trouble with benzos (addiction, dependence) there are nearly just as many people who do well on them. I do however think its prudent to consider prescribing both and antidepressant and possibly a benzo if the person has more going on than anxiety. Because benzos are used for acute distress, an antidepressant helps to level things out on a daily basis- at least for some people.

I do not think either drug is more or less dangerous than the other. if you read the side effect profile for antidepressants it can scare the hell out of you. But the same can be said of benzos.