Could someone please affirm that the depression is DUE to the benzo?

[[sp...]]

Hi there everyone,

So, until this new addiction pdoc I had the miraculous chance to meet, all three of my other doctors poo-pooed that the depressed feeling I've been having all summer is/was due to tolerance to the benzo and my tapering down. My life is great, my family is great, and my job is pretty good, and I have never before in my 47 years of life been physically depressed. This is in part due to the benzo, right? Once I get off will my depression improve? I really don't want to start another drug to get off of a drug.

Thank you in advance.

[[Ch...]]

Using benzodiazepines and tapering from them can both cause depression and often do.  This is usually poo-poo'ed by the medical profession, I'm afraid.  Someday... maybe they'll get it. 

[[sp...]]

Thank you, Challis! I was feeling crazy that no doc would admit this. Did you ever feel depressed while in tolerance or withdrawal?

[[gr...]]

I have been terribly terribly depressed during my wd and i am totally lethargic also.

[[lo...]]

Hi SC

 

I was very depressed for 6 months post tapering then ok after that. Left with physical symptoms.  :'(

 

LF

[[be...]]

Hi there everyone,

So, until this new addiction pdoc I had the miraculous chance to meet, all three of my other doctors poo-pooed that the depressed feeling I've been having all summer is/was due to tolerance to the benzo and my tapering down. My life is great, my family is great, and my job is pretty good, and I have never before in my 47 years of life been physically depressed. This is in part due to the benzo, right? Once I get off will my depression improve? I really don't want to start another drug to get off of a drug.

Thank you in advance.

 

 

A year and a half ago I was in tolerance, but at the time I had no idea why I was so sick. I was bed ridden for 79 days with depression. During those 79 days I never smiled or laughed once. I was frozen in depression. Now I am off benzodiazepines, and am no longer in bed and I can laugh and smile again. In my opinion your depression is from the benzodiazepines.

[[sp...]]

Thank you everyone! I intrinsically knew that the benzos were causing this and am glad to hear that it sill subside once I am off. It makes it easier to bear, and I can "rationalize" my way though it if I know there is an end in sight. I do not want to start an AD, as I have tried Effexor, Pristiq, and Remeron, and honestly they made me more "down" due to their sedating effects.

[[Li...]]

I have Bipolar II Disorder, which basically means severe depression, as well as an anxiety disorder. However, things had been pretty well-balanced for a number of years. It wasn't until I went up drastically on klonopin (to help with a semi-recent trauma) that severe depression kicked in again. It is intermittent on my taper, which started about 8 months ago. I realize there are a lot of extenuating factors, and while my current life scenario is less than desirable, I have no doubt that these pills are to blame for the worst of it. I used to have the capacity to find my way out - and this capacity only grew with the years, but now I'm buckled down most evenings/nights. Lately,  it's always a time-of-day thing.

[[...]]

I never had depression before in all my life either. That really kind of angers me that a doctor would dismiss it like that. Especially since you are so early in the process and even basic literature says you may suffer from depression. I mean even the drug literature itself.

[[sp...]]

One of the doctors even told me that Klonopin is thought to "cure" depression in Japan! Was he or I delusional or what? 

[[gr...]]

One of the doctors even told me that Klonopin is thought to "cure" depression in Japan! Was he or I delusional or what? 

 

Very delusional.

[[...]]

One of the doctors even told me that Klonopin is thought to "cure" depression in Japan! Was he or I delusional or what? 

 

I forgot that it is prescribed for depression. Sarah Silverman (comedian) was prescribed Xanax as a teenage for depression.