Question about benzodiazepines?

Doctors recommend klonopin because it has a long half life, meaning that pill popping is less likely. If you were on Xanax, you would probably take them more frequently. My feeling is that you should find a therapist who can help you with panic attacks and OCD, and gradually work your way off benzos. SSRIs usually do work, but they take a long time and people are not terribly aware of how well they work because they don't make a person feel different. Benzos sort of advertise their effectiveness by giving you a high. But, keep in mind that benzos are I-don't-care drugs. Klonopin not only reduces your OCD and panic attacks, it reduces your emotions all around; that's why it can be dangerous. If you don't care, you can easily be swayed to do something stupid or not be afraid in a situation that calls for fear. Consider finding a therapist, who can guild you to healthier solutions. There are many benzo addicts in this country, buying the stuff off the street because their doctor refuses to prescribe them more. You really don't want to end up there, and that is a risk whether you're on klonopin, Xanax, Valium, Ativan, etc.

Valium has a longer half-life and is not as strong as klonopin, but risk of addiction is still there. Benzos, including valium, xanax, and klonopin are all very addictive. Once you develop tolerance and dependency (and this happens quickly), you will have a difficult time stopping them because the withdrawals can be severe.

If you are only 17, you should not be taking these medications unless your anxiety is severe. If your anxiety is not severe, you really should be looking for drug free alternatives. Problem is that doctors for the most part don't know how to teach you to handle and overcome anxiety without medication - all they can do is give you pills. Sometimes the pills help, sometimes they don't, and sometimes they make things worse and just make you sick.

Go to your local library (yes, the library!) and you will find some very good books on anxiety. They will teach you what causes it, andp most importantly how to deal with it, live with it, overcome it, and what drugs to use if you need drugs at all. I’ve visited with counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and all of them know some, but I found a couple of books from the library to be more comprehensive and have more information than any one therapist or doctor that I’ve ever visited. A lot of anxiety disorders and panic attacks can be overcome without drugs if you know how to do it.