Bipolar dealing with PTSD Support Group

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Post edited by: froze2nose, at: 02/17/2012 08:07 PM

I felt the same way as you. I have heard conflicting advice from different doctors. I suffer from chronic daily headache and anxiety/depression. Klonopin is one of the only meds that helps headaches and also anxiety. My new psychiatrist said that if the benefits outweigh the negative and you don't have addicting personality it's o.k. to be on it daily at a lower dose. If you decide you want to wean off it make sure you do it under the doctor's care. For me it has been a lifesaver for my headaches. Are you also on a maintenance anxiety med like lexapro or celexa?

I worry about taking it too much and becoming addicted/dependent. You need other ways to deal with stress than a little pill.My sense of humor really helps. Answering the phone with "Dewey, Cheatham and Howle, Tax Rearangers" or "Azheimer's Home. Who do you want?" then waiting and repeting the greeting over and over can be fun.

But hobbies no matter how cheap and trivial can relieve stress. Picking up pebbles in the yard or park that look interesting and then arranging them in a box has kept a few people sane. I build model cars.

Think about it.

I take one clonapin at night. Did not get addicted. But it controls some of the anxiety during the day. If I were to take it during the day I would become stupid.

I take 1 mg of clonapin at night. It helps me relax for sleep. I have taken it during the day before, but I don't like the drugged out feeling. Yes, you can get hooked on it. I take Topamax at night for headache and it's also a mood stabilizer. I used to get a headache every day. I agree that finding an outlet to reduce stress is a good idea. Any kind of craft, reading...something to get your mind to a calm place -- meditating or praying. I will also just sit and nap for a while with my dogs on my lap (they are small). I hope this helps.