Panic Attacks Support Group
A panic attack is a period of intense fear or discomfort, typically with an abrupt onset and usually lasting no more than thirty minutes. Symptoms include trembling, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation, and sensations of choking or smothering. Panic attacks can be very sudden, appear to be unprovoked, and are often...
I was reading a post on psychcentral.com that I thought I would share with everyone. Since I know some of you like me, have taken these medications. I will post the first paragraph, the rest of the post can be found here
http://psychcentral.com/news/2015/10/06/revisit-use-of-benzodiazepines-for-mental-health-conditions/93165.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=most-popular
New research suggests the practice of using benzodiazepines to treat psychiatric conditions should be abandoned as evidence suggests the drugs heighten the risk for dementia and death.
Benzodiazepines include branded prescription drugs like Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Xanax. This class of drug received FDA approval in the 1960s and was believed to be a safer alternative to barbiturates.
Despite new psychiatric protocols, some physicians continue to prescribe benzodiazepines as a primary treatment for insomnia, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other ailments.
Current research is extremely clear and physicians need to partner with their patients to move them into therapies, like antidepressants, that are proven to be safer and more effective, said Helene Alphonso, DO, a board-certified psychiatrist and Director of Osteopathic Medical Education at North Texas University Health Science Center.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2015/10/06/revisit-use-of-benzodiazepines-for-mental-health-conditions/93165.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=most-popular
New research suggests the practice of using benzodiazepines to treat psychiatric conditions should be abandoned as evidence suggests the drugs heighten the risk for dementia and death.
Benzodiazepines include branded prescription drugs like Valium, Ativan, Klonopin, and Xanax. This class of drug received FDA approval in the 1960s and was believed to be a safer alternative to barbiturates.
Despite new psychiatric protocols, some physicians continue to prescribe benzodiazepines as a primary treatment for insomnia, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and other ailments.
Current research is extremely clear and physicians need to partner with their patients to move them into therapies, like antidepressants, that are proven to be safer and more effective, said Helene Alphonso, DO, a board-certified psychiatrist and Director of Osteopathic Medical Education at North Texas University Health Science Center.
Due to the aggressive nature of Benzos it isn't surprising to me that these heavy psychotics are affecting the brain so dramatically in the long term. However, they do a great job from what I have heard.
The death part is of course scary, but having dementia would be worse. I worry about becoming a burden to my family and children in that state of mind. IN fact, death would be better.
Ideally I would prefer to be drug free and learn skills to cope better. Every time I take myself off of medication, I end up having to go back on them. Last time I took myself off medication, my doctor had me on 7 different medications. I had to get myself one of those little pill boxes that list days of week and morning, afternoon, evening on them just to make sure I didnt forget anything.
I dont think any drug is really safe for us. I am considering looking into other alternative such as herbs.