Depression BEFORE starting benzo - now more?

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Dear Group

I had a big depression hit me last year about this time and was finally hospitalized and put on olanzapine and then zoloft, then other ADs during the year, as well as ativan "as needed". That became 1-2 mg daily until I started tapering off in late August.

 

Depression has deepened since then and I don't know what to chalk it up to - the reduced lorazepam, the prozac (new med), or the depression that never went away?

 

Have others had luck treating the benzo-induced depression?

 

When I stopped the olanzapine in June, I used more ativan and I think it's made me more depressed. Suicidal all the time, miserable, weird, out of it, alone, can't move out of isolation. I have a weird life situation right now so that's contributing. But this depression feels chemical and organic and is nailing me. I odn't know whether to try to treat it separately now or to try to get off the lorazepam first. Or a tthe same time. So confusing and disturbing. Just venting my terror and panic.

[Guest [ma...]]

Based on my personal experience I would say that the worsening depression you are experience is due to the benzo. You are right when you say that the worsening depression feels chemical b/c it is. Depression is a well known side effect from benzos. It is afterall a CNS depressant. It will get better once you taper and get off the benzo. It may take time though.

 

The depression I had for years while on benzos and then while recovering was beyond words. I really can't find the words for it if I tried. I was also suicidal for years while on benzos and in tolerance w/d. Of course not knowing what was going on at the time.

 

Add to that the fact that you were prescribed several medications within a very short period of time. This is called being polydrugged or aka a Prescription Cascade. Same thing happened to me. You have absolutely no way of knowing which of those drugs (other than the Benzos) or combination of those drugs is worsening your preexisting depression. 

 

I too had depression for years pre-benzos. I don't anymore. I wish 30 years ago someone suggest to me as a young adult to try some CBT skills or other things to work through the depression b/c it could have saved me almost 30 lost years. I realize now I was never depressed, I just needed to learn some coping skills to deal with the death of my father.

 

Listen to your inner voice. Take care, mandala 

 

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Mandala, did the seraquel help you? I'm 62, very very depressed.im on v now after 12 yrs of ativan...

I was midly depressed before benzos, only certain situations,  now I cry everyday and feel hopeless..halfway thru v taper...scared.

Hugs.  Rose

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Charlie, how are uou dojng?

[Guest [ma...]]

Mandala, did the seraquel help you? I'm 62, very very depressed.im on v now after 12 yrs of ativan...

I was midly depressed before benzos, only certain situations,  now I cry everyday and feel hopeless..halfway thru v taper...scared.

Hugs.  Rose

 

Hi Rose, just saw your post now. No it did not help me. It made the depression worse and really affected my mental capabilites in a bad way.

 

The depression while on benzos is common......you are tapering from a CNS depressant. It will get better for you as you continue to taper and get off the drug. Hang in there and keep posting for support when you need it. 

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Ok Mandala,

Hugs to you, rose