I want to say that this was very enlightening for me. I am was of those people that takes half of the prescribed dosage and I do worry about becoming addicted to Xanax or any drug that may be prescribed to me. Do you think that the reason that people that suffer from panic attacks are less likely to have addictive qualities is because we are hyper-controling to the point of having this cause panic attacks?

I think benzos cause panic at least in my case. I was taking 1mg ativan for years and soon as I started to take 2mg a day I had more panic. I am back down to 1mg per day and feel better. I am trying to get off completely.

antibenzo groups were once claiming that benzos were the main cause of panic attacks......
IMO benzos should not be taken daily for long periods but taken only as needed, with some carried with you always when out, just in case

I have been taking klonopin at night for 4 years straight and I just recently got the courage to stop taking it. I seriously thought I would be on this med for the rest of my life because I was too afraid of what would happen if I did stop taking it. So, the point I'm trying to make is that I think most people become psychologically addicted to these meds. and when you come off of them, the withdrawl symptoms can be similar to a panic attack. So then they think theie body was addicted to it.

Tell this to my pdoc.

I take klonopin too. Half the prescribed dose too. Out of fear of addiction. Also its bc the less you take a medication, the more it works in your system when you do. Not that things dont work when you take them regularly, bc they do. We just anylize the crap out of every situation! Even on taking meds. For me, especially taking meds!

I don't know. From what I've read*, benzos are addictive in up to 30% of people who use them for more than several months. they have their uses, but perhaps for more of an acute rather than chronic use.

source: http://healthlifeandstuff.com/2009/10/xanax-side-effects-uses-withdrawal/

i used to take xanax. i stopped taking them as prescribed .5mg 2x per day. they were making me feel too messed up. then i started taking them as needed .5mg every 3rd day, then .25mg every 3-7 days, then i completely cut myself off of them and refused to take them or any medication. its been 7 months w/o any medication. i stopped mainly because they started to exacerbate the dizzy, lack of coordination, extreme heavy feeling i would get prior to full blown panic attack, and because they made me feel so depressed, then they stopped working altogether. i supplement now with tons of antioxidants, multivitamins and amino acids to balance my neurotransmitters, and this seems to do the trick, as far as the psychological part is concerned.

Glutamine- precusor to GABA (what benzos activate)
Tyrosine- improves dopamine and proper norepinephrine turnover (good to take for fatigue because panic attacks deplete your adrenaline.)
Amino acid complex- for overall well being.

by taking amino acids and vitamin supplements i have SERIOUSLY curbed the frequency and severity of panic attacks, completely eliminated agoraphobia, derealization, and a significant amount of stress and anxiety. many trials of benzos and anitdepressents never did this for me longevity.