On Mon, 01 Mar 2004 14:15:04 GMT, William Brink
Post by William BrinkPost by John HUDSONOn Sun, 29 Feb 2004 23:31:29 GMT, William Brink
Post by Kevin JBenzos used alone are often like painting over rust. But they play an
Post by Kevin Jimportant role as part of an overall strategy in combatting anxiety
disorders.
Never said they didn't did I?
No, suppose you didn't. You _were_ kinda fear-mongering -
I don't see how, but OK. I was simply trying to counter John's advice,
which was incorrect, at least in my view.
How can reassuring a person suffering with anxiety be wrong?
Post by William BrinkPost by John HUDSONthough I
agree it's prudent to have respect for addictive substances.
Which was my major point.
You have no "major point", your simply being a nasty little bumptious
prick!!
Post by William BrinkPost by John HUDSONAddiction shouldn't be a significant risk if the drugs are properly
prescribed
And as important of course, the risk of one may be offset by the more
perssing issue, but that again was not my point.
Well it was certainly the OP's doctor's point when he prescribed the
medication, and it was certainly mine when I was supporting and
reassuring him!!
Post by William BrinkPost by John HUDSONand used, though I'm aware that isn't always the case.
Especially when some moron like John tells you they are like candy.
I have no views for or against benzos, I am all for people getting and
staying well. Accordingly I wrote some time ago:
"I advise that if you can manage without the use of drugs then it is
in your best interests to do so. There is no doubt that in some people
the benzodiazepine group of drugs (and other similar preparations) can
and do produce symptoms that can be debilitating and distressing.
However, this group of drugs play a major part in the treatment of
mental illness, including anxiety and depression. Some people's lives
can be improved dramatically by the use of these drugs, and some may
need to use the drugs over prolonged periods of time (sometimes for
life) in order to live any semblance of a happy and productive
existence. Stopping the use of these drugs, before the condition for
which they were prescribed has been overcome, is extremely unwise.
It is therefore imperative that those unfortunate people who have
found it necessary to use these drugs for extended periods of time,
should consult with their doctors to evaluate whether they should
consider reducing their medication, or taper off the drugs completely.
It is only common sense to acknowledge that if the drugs are no longer
working, and their ingestion is causing unpleasant side-effects then a
carefully managed taper should be considered and implemented.
It also is only common sense to realise that if you are taking this
group of drugs, and you are feeling and functioning well, then it is
probably unwise to change the status quo simply for the sake of it. It
is sheer lunacy to swap a comfortable and well-functioning lifestyle
for one of protracted physical pain and extreme anxiety, simply to try
and follow blinkered advice to taper off all anti-anxiety medication.
Only you will know what is really best for you. You must not take too
literally the daily drivel you will come across in the various support
groups. Most of the members of such groups are well-intentioned - if
somewhat misinformed! However, there are others in such groups who
have agendas all of their own, and you must beware following the
somewhat severe line that these individuals/groupings propound. You
should also be aware that the mind is susceptible to outside
influence, and the daily symptom swapping, the constant violent
arguments, the posturing of the leading personalities - and the
warnings of "dreadful things to come", can raise anxiety levels and be
counter-productive to your well-being.
The Benzodiazepine group of drugs is supposed to be prescribed
short-term (2 – 4 weeks) for the alleviation of anxiety and insomnia
that is causing distress. In reality the drugs are provided for a
whole plethora of mental health problems for considerable periods of
time. Long-term users in excess of 30 years are quite common. However,
given that there are very few alternatives in the treatment of mental
health problems, there is very little else a busy doctor can do to
help an enormous number of patients presenting symptoms of these very
real illnesses. The only other alternatives being psychiatric
consultation and cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).
The anxious personality is often an addictive sort of person, who will
quickly become dependent on whatever medication is prescribed. They
will press the doctor to prescribe them something for what are real
and frightening problems, and for many of them the anti-anxiety and
anti-depressant group of medications are real lifesavers. It keeps
them on an even keel and although much of the effect must be
considered placebo, the anxiety is nevertheless relieved because the
patient believes that the medication is coping on their behalf. Repeat
prescriptions without ever seeing the doctor become the norm and that
is how a large section of the population cope with everyday life. The
threat of removal of their medication can prompt relapse and cause
considerable distress.
However, in these litigious times, there are an increasing number of
people who see the medical profession as an easy target for their
speculative litigation ambitions. Websites and support groups abound
on the internet, where it is not only encouraged to blame doctors and
drug companies for the problems of mental health, but people are being
actively instructed to consider medical practitioners as criminals,
together with pharmaceutical companies, for prescribing and
manufacturing medication that contributes to a whole range of
allegedly associated problems.
It has to be considered that many of the aspiring litigants may well
not be genuine sufferers from benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms –
which do in fact exist! Or it may be that they are exaggerating very
minor symptoms. It cannot be too much of coincidence that the not
inconsiderable list of withdrawal symptoms for Benzodiazepines, is
almost identical to that for the artificial sweetener Aspartame, the
Gulf War syndrome and the Organo-Phosphate syndrome, alleged
“sufferers” of which all have similar websites and support groups, and
all of which are similarly pursuing legal action for financial
compensation.
The related support groups and websites are veritable breeding grounds
for the fomentation of ideas, for the cunning to assume the problems
which are discussed and exaggerated ad nauseam on a daily basis. The
whole language is one of confrontation and members are encouraged to
consider their ‘dependence’ on prescribed medication as “addiction”!
This is not the case, as there are some quite clear distinctions and
differences between these two emotive descriptions. It is as easy to
adopt the symptoms of Benzodiazepine withdrawal, as it is to feign a
back injury or the infamous ‘whiplash’ injury – once you have acquired
all the inside information!! Becoming thoroughly conversant with the
benzo dependency culture is only a short step to taking legal action
for compensation.
The so-called support groups are insidious, as they become a Mecca for
many ill-assorted and ofttimes very ill people – with mental health
problems. They become a ‘community’ despite the fact that everyone
involved is essentially anonymous. The ‘members’ become quite
obsessive about their postings to the groups and there are sometimes
quite frightening altercations (known as ‘flames’) between rival
members and visiting trouble-makers (known as ‘trolls’)! The effect on
a nervous membership can be quite devastating, causing extreme anxiety
and exacerbating the problems for which the members are seeking
support.
Members are encouraged to taper off all prescribed medication, as
being the root of all their problems. Scant regard is paid to the
likelihood that the pre-existing condition, for which the medication
was originally prescribed, may still be present, and that the symptoms
being experienced are nothing more or less than the symptoms of
extreme anxiety. Members are encouraged to tough out the most extreme
circumstances, for considerable lengths of time – normally months, but
several years is not unusual! They are led to believe that the only
way to eventual cure is to accept a degree of brain damage, which is
‘probably’ not permanent – but may well be so!
There is no doubt that Benzodiazepines do create ‘dependency’ in some
patients – either real or imagined. It is also unwise to cease the
medication abruptly, as unpleasant withdrawal symptoms are quite
likely to be experienced. However, in the absence of alternative
treatments, this group of drugs continues to be the main treatment for
many mental illnesses. It is therefore unfair on the medical
profession to blame them for the ills of society and to castigate them
in such a way. It is also probably unwise, as the knock-on effect is
that doctors will be reluctant to prescribe these much-needed drugs,
if the present trend continues."
John HUDSON London, England. September 19th 2001