Benzodiazepams

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How common is it for people on the spectrum to be prescribed xanax, valium, or ativan?

When I get really stressed it feels like my brain needs a benzodiazepam otherwise I kind of pace in a circle and fixate on things. I really think I need to be prescribed a benzo of some sort to be honest.

The problem with those is that you can't take them regularly. Your body will simply grow used to them and they won't have any effects. So, yeah, they can be used to get through high-stress situations; but long-term they are not recommended. I think most doctors will be willing to help you try to find a more long-term solution for anxiety, though.

I just get really stressed out sometimes and it feels like some xanax would help. Yeah, it's a strong drug that zonks a person out but it's better than pacing around in a circle, flicking my fingers, and obsessing like a maniac, ya know? A person shouldn't be on it 24/7 but it feels like I need xanax sometimes when I have meltdowns/shutdowns, am I wrong?

I think it's very common ... unfortunately. Before you search out a psychiatrist to get yourself addicted to one of these, will you do yourself a favor? Just run a few google searches -- I don't know exactly what, maybe "benzo nightmare"? See what peoples' experiences have been. My own started about 10 years ago. Once I hit a level of Xanax past which my psychiatrist refused to prescribe, I decided I had to get off of it. That was December of '07. Over three years later, I'm still trying. Down to about 1 mg of Klonopin per day and hoping that I can be Benzo-free by the end of '11 (maybe). That's only nine months away. Scary thought. If you really think you need medication, why not try something safer and less addictive than Xanax ... like heroin?

I've already been addicted to benzos so badly and taken them so much I honestly stopped having withdrawals from them. I haven't taken them in years though but when I get stressed and start doing these things I mentioned I feel like my life would be better with them even if it is just a temporary escape. I don't know what else to do, do I need medication?

When I get really stressed I start pacing in a circle like a madman, flicking my fingers and obsessing, it honestly feels like 4-6 mgs of xanax would be helpful. I'd rather be zonked out than stressing like this.

I guess that if you're some miracle of biology, then that could change everything. What I mean is that if dropping 5mg of Xanax every time I had an anxiety attack would have no lasting effects (addiction/withdrawal), then I'd do it too. In a heartbeat. But, what you're talking about is not even remotely my experience -- or any experience I've ever heard about. Quite the opposite, actually. Don't know what to say other than good luck -- and that I hope no one reads what you've said to mean that, if someone takes enough of this stuff, there will be no withdrawal effects. That's really backwards...

I'm not lying, I stopped having withdrawals from that garbage. The withdrawals were hell while I had them but they honestly stopped, like my body adapted to them. I haven't read anything about such a thing occuring either, I wouldn't call it a miracle but it's honestly what happened to me.

I haven't done xanax in years but when I start obsessing, pacing around in a circle, flicking my fingers and fixating like I have tunnel vision I would rather have 4-6 mgs of xanax.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were lying. I don't think you are, actually -- why would you be? I'm glad we agree that your experience is highly unusual. And I'm glad that you have the experience behind you to make an informed decision here. Having had the same or a similar experience, I would *never* go back. It was just too awful (hence the semi-sarcastic comment about heroin) -- and, yes, "hell" is the right word. But, that's just me. We all get to make our own decisions.


Maybe what I can't figure out at this point is why you're asking for advice. I truly don't mean to come across as offensive, here, but it seems like you've got all the information you need. (That is, when you originally posed your question, I took it as coming from someone who had no experience with benzodiazepines at all. But, you've got plenty.) What is it that you're really looking for?

I always thought I was a little autistic and never accepted it until stress made me realize that I'm more autistic than I can hide. So basically I'm just asking if it is normal for people who are autistic to be on some kind of benzo.

But yeah, it's crazy that I stopped having withdrawals from that garbage. I haven't read anything about this occurring to anyone but it's like my body adapted. I love pot but refuse it when I have meltdowns/shutdowns and it feels like my body craves a benzo. Or something that releases GABA. Right now I'm self-medicating on alcohol and that s**t sucks to be honest. I hate alcohol, but I don't know what else releases GABA besides this even worse poisonous garbage.

Basically all I'm asking if it's normal for autistic people to be prescribed a benzo.

Well, I'm a recovering alcoholic, too, so I totally get where you're coming from!

If that's the only question, then I think I stand by what I said initially: yes, it's fairly common so far as I know. They're just too perfect for our kind of anxiety to ignore. But (as you can imagine I'm about to say) ignore them we should.

I'd much rather take 4-6 mgs of xanax than drink this alcoholic filth. Alchohol is a dirty drug that releases all kinds of neurotransmitters, I just want GABA to be released, not serotonin, not dopamine, when I have a meltdown. It honestly feels like I need a benzo prescribed.

And I don't know what else to do besides go to the mental hospital and pretend to be suicidal to get seen and hopefully prescribed a benzo. America's health-care system sucks. I'm open to suggestions though. I'm almost ready to do this.

A benzo would help with my flashbacks.

No; it's not particularly common for autistic people to be prescribed benzodiazepines. Autism is life-long, and these are meant for short-term use.

they sure helped me when i injured my back, i sure could use them now for back pain. nothing else stops the spasms anywhere near as well.

I've been on Xanax since '05. I'm only taking .25 mg per dosage, twice a day. That's the same dosage I've been on since the day my psychiatrist prescribed it to me and I've never felt like I needed more than that, so I honestly don't think that there's anything wrong with me taking it.

My husband was given Xanax recently and it caused him to break down. It increased his anxiety and suspiciousness.

Now he's using Respiridone (uncertain of spelling...), and so far so good. Not regularly, but as needed.