Racing Thoughts (Klonopin)

Curtstl7 · Post by **Curtstl7** » Thu Sep 10, 2009 3:20 pm

i have GAD, not horrible, but annoying (of course there are times it is worse than others). but i think what causes it is my mind is always racing, never slowing down (yet i sleep great).
so i was thinking about talking to my doc about klonopin (i take no meds now, tried ssri's, did not work). i know klonopin is a benzo but from what i understand it is safe and the easiest to discontinue when ready. any thoughts? suggestions?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 3:00 am

I use Klonopin on an as needed basis and it works for me. In terms of racing thoughts, there are numerous cognitive behavioral therapies that you can do with a therapist or on your own to learn how to calm your mind. But having Klonopin in your pocket for emergencies is a good idea.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:14 am

From personal experience, Klonopin is NOT AT ALL easy to get off of. Benzos are addictive, and in my opinion should be reserved for severe, not just annoying, cases. I don't want to causes a backlash here; I'll admit this is just my opinion, and I know from the forums that some people are able to use them occasionally with no problems, and have found relief. But that has not been my experience. I probably had GAD most of my life, but I wasn't diagnosed until my primary care doctor put me on Klonopin to help me sleep, and lo and behold my anxiety increased 20-fold in less than 2 weeks, I went days without sleeping, and finally I found a wonderful psychiatrist who realized that I was one of the people who actually experience increased anxiety when they take benzos (this is not rare). This is called rebound anxiety, and can get you caught it a spiral. Are you doing the program? Have you tried a meditation practice? I took an 8-week course on Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and it helped to quiet my mind. I had tried meditation before, but it took the 8-week course for me to see a benefit.