Something I have really been stuggling with lately is the more I understand what is wrong with me, the more I realize the therapies (medicine or not) are to remedy symptoms.... It's much like a cold-- it will go away on its own, and medicine will help you deal with it.... but it won't "cure" it.

Sadly with psychiatric medications you run the risk of creating another issue. I will take my situation to set up the scenario. I made a commitment to take all medicines prescribed, as prescribed, and not just give up on them because of side-effects or other issues. My anti-depressant has been helping, and I take it religiously..... my other medication? I have a really hard time following the prescribed manner of taking it.

I am prescribed 0.5mg klonopin, and I am supposed to take it every day soon after waking up. When I do take it, it does help. However benzodiazapines are notorious for their addictive properties. Anyone who has suffered through depression most of their life can understand what I mean when I say.... I've never known anything else. I don't know what happiness, calmness, peace.... what that really should feel like. I know with it I do feel better... but I don't know of many psychiatrists who prescribe a benzodiazapine for daily use. I walk the line of -- it helps and I should...... and I'm too afraid of being addicted.

Has anyone else had any issues like this? I mean, I don't have panic attacks often ( if ever...), my anxiety issue, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder, comes from constant preoccupation with things, ideas, pacing the room, being tense and pent up. I'll worry and worry and worry, I can't seem to stop myself. -- a lot of physical signs of anxiety, but it's a chronic, not a "panic attack" so to speak.

I hate the medications only treat symptoms and can't cure you... that part to me is discouraging... but I am comforted that I don't have to suffer so deeply all the time.

-- back to my point , what is your take on taking a a potentially addicting medication daily? Is it worth it?

Dear Brentus,
I have shared some of your fears. My diagnosis' are MDD, Mood disorder, and GAD. I sometimes wonder is untreated anxiety plus having a lot of legitimate things to worry about led to the MDD and Mood disorder. Though I have always had depression since childhood. But it was the type of depression I could eventually overcome without medical attention.
Anyways, prior and up until the day of my attempt, I was taking xanax (it's a benzodiazapine just like klonopin). When I was realised from the hospital, I never again touched the stuff. I was in intensive care, intensely dosed with painkillers for so long that I don't know if I experienced any withdrawal.
I sometimes wonder if the "numbing" aspects of the medication played a small role in the attempt. I've also read that they are addictive and people build up a tolerance to them/only continue to get anxiety relief if they increase the dosage over time.
The things our drugs do to us is a scary thing. I fear them too.
Sincerely, Myst

[mindwrench]

I am concerned about this as well. I am at the beginning of my first attempt at professional treatment. I have only been through the intake therapy session. They did suggest medication to me, which I firmly rejected so they did not open that section of the treatment plan. I am concerned that my next meeting which will be with the therapist assigned to me that he may push medication. I have very mixed feelings about it, as I have used Dyphenhydramine (Benedril), and Valerian Root at times with descent results. I don't like the thought of getting addicted to anything, or becoming somebody else, or losing my awareness.

[Fuzzybear]

IDK if this helps. But my personal experience on meds is to remind myself how unwell I used to be without them. I would trade side effects and addiction against how bad that was.

[Unrigged64072835]

At one point I was taking three benzos (Klonipin, Xanax, and Ativan) to quell my anxiety. It didn't work; I was anxious and stoned at the same time. I quit taking them and went to Vistaril instead. That and Neurotin seemed to do the best.

I really don't like feeling addicted to anything. I still crave alcohol and cigarettes on occasion. It's rather uncomfortable.