The effect of Benzodiazepines on the psyche/brain

[Afterglow]

Many doctors, chemists etc. claim that benzodiazepines (valium, ritalin, prozac, etc.) Are a healthy solution to problems like ADHD, depression, sleep deprivation and stress disorders.

Though they do patch up most of the problems of the original condition, they change the way the brain functions and forms dependencies on the substance that is being taken, as after a while, the brain can't function properly after prolonged use of these drugs. After the original condition is fixed, patients have to be put on seemingly limitless substitute medications like Vicodin so that the brain can still function in a "normal" manner.

Do you think it's worth taking these medications for these problems despite the long term side-effects that are caused? Or should they be avoided and perhaps an alternative, but less effective solution be used.

Sorry if some of that doesn't make too much sense, I'm a little hazy on the subject but think its a fascinating topic.

[Black_Eagle]

Perhaps if there were no other way to solve these issues, but there is, so no. I would say they are unhealthy and dangerous considering the alternatives.

Ritalin is over-prescribed as it is. It can be argued that the "disease" this drug "treats" is nonexistent. Kids with "ADHD" may just have different needs than other children. Apparently they said I had ADHD when I was a kid and some jerks wanted to put me on drugs to treat it. Luckily, my mother denied this.

There's some videos on YouTube that give valuable information concerning this topic. I'll see if I can find those tomorrow.

[Afterglow]

Thanks for the input, I share basically the same opinion.

if there are alternative methods that work without the medication then they by all means should be tried and tested first.

But then if that was the case the pharmaceutical companies wouldn't make any money.

[Zhaylin]

There are many safer alternatives available now-a-days. Strattera isn't habit forming like ritalin. Neither is Provigil. I'm not sure about anti-depressants. I'm unfamiliar with, say Prozac, being a stepping stone to other more powerful meds.
I've been on both Prozac and Lexapro and off both cold turkey at various times with no ill effects. I'm currently taking Celexa.

I agree that such meds should be used as a last resort though.

My biggest gripe is that I strongly feel General Practicioners should NOT be allowed to prescribe such. It is not their specialty. Anyone taking such meds should do so only under the supervision of a well trained Psychiatrist. So many people are mis-diagnosed and taking stuff they don't need and they suffer for it.
I wouldn't go to an eye doctor if I needed brain surgery. I will never again trust a GP to treat emotional problems. It's just not their area of expertise.

[DuB]

Many doctors, chemists etc. claim that benzodiazepines (valium, ritalin, prozac, etc.) Are a healthy solution to problems like ADHD, depression, sleep deprivation and stress disorders.Neither Ritalin nor Prozac are classified as benzodiazepines, and in fact all three of the drugs that you mentioend have wildly different effects. It seems like your question is about prescription medications in general. In that case I would say that it's helpful to use prescription meds for limited periods of time (e.g., to pull someone out of the depths of depression), but I'm not thrilled about people taking them on a long-term basis. They can become a chemical crutch.

[juroara]

kids with problems? I go to the supermarket and I see grubby annoying toddlers shoved in the cart crying and whining for their bottle

and whats in the bottle?

not milk

not juice

not water

COKE!

when did people get the idea that two years old drinking high doses of sugar and caffeine was a good idea?

people are idiots if they don't think nutrition doesn't affect the development of the brain. it starts early folks, and can be long lasting.

Im not convinced any of these pills solve the problem they claim they do. It's not real medicine, just a bandaid. Both of my crazy friends have had to constantly switch to this and that. Still crazy!

and guess what, neither eat healthy. one of them basically lives off of crackers. im not saying food is the cure of depression or other problems. but not enough people realize how nutrition affects the BRAIN. how nutrition affects your overall mood on a DAILY basis. how nutrition keeps you mentally balanced. It's not surprising that as obesity is on the rise, so is a host of mental problems. What is the common factor between the two? food.

we should work on nutrition. get people to eat healthy again, that promotes a happy healthy balanced brain. and I mean, start young while those brains are developing. think of it as the control of the experiment. right now there are so many people pill popping who actually don't have a real mental disorder, just a shitty life or a shitty life style.

doctors don't care and shove the pills in peoples faces without explaining to them how lifestyle and habits affects your overall disposition

its making it harder for us to isolate the people who really were born with a mental problem. and how to really help them

[Afterglow]

Good point juroara, I hate it when I see little kids/toddlers drinking coke, or any soft drink for that matter out of their bottles that the parents have given them. Getting children onto a healthy, nutritious diet as early as possible is possibly the best thing we can do for them and might in some cases prevent the use of mind altering medication later on in life.

[shroom]

They are definately an option, i myself have been prescribed a couple for anxiety, and depression as a kid, but i have found that really the best way is usually counsilling or some other solution. Also there are some unwanted side effects from alot of these medications.. I got rid of my anxiety by forcing myself into social situations. It was horrible at first, but eventually it worked.

[Afterglow]

It's a shame that even though alternative solutions are available, doctors are still prescribing these drugs.

As was said before, they are probably worth it as a last resort, but as long as the lust for economic success reigns on Earth, things like this will always continue.

[Invader]

Those drugs only treat symptoms.

You'd think that people would understand that depression and stress arise for legitimate reasons (from one's lifestyle).

"Oh, you feel depressed? Well it can't possibly be because you have no friends or anything, so we're going to call it a mental defect and put you on these meds instead of advising you to go out and be social, which just so happens to be what human beings do naturally."

Dur dur dur

And ADD/ADHD aren't disorders. People who've been told they have that 'disorder' just have different interests than what are most often presented them in public schools. My best friend was put on meds at one point for ADD, but he has no problem paying attention to the things he actually enjoys learning about (kinesthetic activities like parkour, acrobatics and martial arts), and now he's training to become a fire fighter! Shit, if I was forced to learn about fashion all day long, I guarantee I'd be diagnosed with a learning disorder.

[Afterglow]

Those drugs only treat symptoms.

You'd think that people would understand that depression and stress arise for legitimate reasons (from one's lifestyle).

"Oh, you feel depressed? Well it can't possibly be because you have no friends or anything, so we're going to call it a mental defect and put you on these meds instead of advising you to go out and be social, which just so happens to be what human beings do naturally."

Dur dur dur

And ADD/ADHD aren't disorders. People who've been told they have that 'disorder' just have different interests than what are most often presented them in public schools. My best friend was put on meds at one point for ADD, but he has no problem paying attention to the things he actually enjoys learning about (kinesthetic activities like parkour, acrobatics and martial arts), and now he's training to become a fire fighter! Shit, if I was forced to learn about fashion all day long, I guarantee I'd be diagnosed with a learning disorder.

Great point and exactly right in my opinion, thanks for the contribution!

[dajo]

Don't trust the pharma industry.
They want you to get addicted ;)

You're a cash cow if you need to take meds
for the rest of your life. Good money.

And even children are targeted...
Plus - prozac and the likes make
healthy people sick. That's also a
major risk, especially at young age.

Also I agree with some stuff said.

[grasshoppa]

Right now I am taking Ativan for anxiety/panic attacks and insomnia. It is classified as a benzodiazepine. I don't take them throughout the day, just when I feel the anxiety is building up too much. I dunno, it seems to calm me down, and hasn't had any side effects to date that I can't attribute to other things. The doctor told me that you can develop a habit if you take Ativan regularly, so I've only been taking half the recommended dose if I need it.