I am definitely not going to take any SSRI; I'll just flat out reject that treatment and go to a different doctor. I'd prefer Klonopin because it lasts longer, so I would be on a low pill count treatment.

Also, my friend gave me Klonopin and it worked wonders, but like you said.. it does make you drowsy. I wonder if a doctor would prescribe a low dose Adderall prescription to counteract the drowsiness of Clonazepam?

Also, are these benzodiazepine treatments supposed to be stopped? I mean, they don't actually make the thoughts go away after treatment do they? I can't ever imagine being 'normal' again; I think once you know that feeling it is unforgetable and will always haunt you.

Oh and a heads up...I could be wrong, but I don't think if you yake it once a day you'd build up enough of a constant blood level to develop full blown physical dependancy. Can anyone correct me on this if I"m wrong, please?
What you can build up that fast though, is tolerance, so that the same amount of the benzo no longer works as well. That is how it starts..People need to take higher and higher amounts, and then start taking them more than once a day, and before you know it, you've got a dangerous physical addiction going. Keep yourself in check and speak with your doctor.

Good luck and keep your chin up! :winkwink:

Do you know if benzo treatments ever stop? I mean, I can't imagine not ever being "normal", even while on Klonopin - the thoughts are still there but it is like it doesn't matter or something. I think if I went off the benzo it would start to matter again... it is hard to explain, this seems like a life long illness, but I may be wrong?

Also, Clonazepam patients do not develop a tolerence in most cases, but they do develop a dependance. So, no, you wouldn't have to keep upping the milligrams, you'd just be stuck on what is called a "low dose dependence". I guess you would wean yourself off from there if you ever were "cured" of your problem.

I personally hate the SSRI drugs. They use them for everything. So far they are used for depression, panic, anxiety, OCD, and social anxiety. I am sure they will find more things to use them for. They also make you gain weight. Some people gain 20 pounds, some have gained up to 100.

The first few days on any dose of Klonopin you will feel tired. That is a normal side effect. It does go away as long as your dose is not to high. I am sure they will start you on a low dose and go higher if needed.

You take take Benzo's for years. They do not have to be short term. They will ween you off of them when the time comes. I know people that have been on Klonopin for 7 years. I am not sure why people think they are only for a short term use, that is not true. Xanax is also not as addictive as people make it out to be. I have known plenty of people that took it for years and came off of it just fine. I think people like to scare other people by saying that.

You will be normal again, it just may be a long road. With medication and therapy you can lead a normal life again. Make sure to get a therapist, medication alone is not enough.

Klonopin is usually taken at least twice a day by most on it. Since he is new to panic attacks they may put him on it three times a day and lower it as he gets better. Most people on klonopin do not build up a tolerance. It seems like the benzo's take longer to build up a tolerance then the SRRI's do.