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Can Xanax Cause Depression?

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Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2015
Question: I have been taking Xanax for about about two months and two weeks. I take 1 mg pills- one in the morning, one at lunch, and one and a half before bed. At first they seemed to be the miracle I was looking for: very calm under some VERY difficult personal situations: someone tried to break into my house and threatened to kill me, (hence, I went to my doctor because I was frozen in total fear), deaths of friends and family, a knee surgery, a small house fire, that was days of working with insurance agents, and going through every drawer, box, closet, of every item I owned, and keeping or throwing it away, so, the things I kept could be de-smoked, I also retired after 35 years of teaching, and I am having to live with friends--who are wonderful, while my house is fixed. Through those bumps in the road, I was very calm and handled things well, and felt like my old self of years ago. Before taking Xanax, I think I would have just been in a fetal position and out of my mind. The last two weeks though, even on the Xanax and NO Problems in my life at all, I am very depressed, and I have no reason to depressed, at all. Outwardly, I do not act like that to any one. I see my doctor next week, for a second follow up on the taking of Xanax. I have been going to him for 12 years, and I thought we had a great relationship. He may have been having a bad day, (I just don't know, as he had NEVER acted like that to me) but when I saw him three weeks ago, for a follow up on the Xanax, and even though I was calmer than he had ever seen me, when I came to him with depression issues, he told me he now thinks I am "manic" because I was talking too much and too fast, about all of the things that had happened to me in such a short time. I was just trying to hurry and tell him all the things that had transpired in those three weeks, as I know his time is valuable, but my major point was to tell him how calm I was and how I attributed it to my faith, my friends and family, and especially to the Xanax. So, many people have told me, up to that point, I seemed like I used to be: happy, calm XXXXXXX filled, and relaxed again, and they had not seen me like that for many years. My doctor saying I was "manic" not only hurt my feelings terribly, as I had just gone through all of these things in a time-span of three weeks, but I just felt kicked in the gut by him, and the depression is definitely back, not that I am necessarily attributing it to him--that is not fair to him at al. I have wondered if I was just having a placebo affect from the Xanax because I needed so badly to be calm, clear of mind, but I was very, very happy and XXXXXXX filled, until he said that to me. So, now what? Just not elaborate about anything about my life, unless he asks, when I see him next week? Can Xanax "make people depressed"? I sure hate asking that question, but I am afraid if I tell him my depression is back, and I have no reason to be depressed, how he will react. Can you help me with my questions please? Thank you so much for any help that you can give to me.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
never hesitate to tell to your doctor about your illness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX
Welcome to HCM.
I have read your query word by word and completely understand your concerns.

Your doctor labelled you as 'manic' after listening to your words.
I would like to tell you that, technically mania is labelled according to some diagnostic criteria. It is not a casual term. When your XXXXXXX and happiness start interfering your activities of daily living and your activities disturbs others, then a manic disorder can be considered.
Probably, you might be just happy that you were out of depression with xanax and your doctor wrongfully labelled that XXXXXXX as 'mania'.

You must talk to your doctor about your health issues. Talk to him as usual. Elaborate your concerns. Do not worry about his time. Let him assess your in detail. Be faithful in responding to what he ask. I think he will reconsider his diagnosis.

Xanax does not cause depression. But as you have had so many stressors in past (leading to depression), it could be acting as a contributor to your depression. As xanax is not an antidepressant, you might need antidepressant drugs.

Definitely tell him about your depression. I think he should not be judgemental about you. This is the nature of depressive disorder that it can relapse even without no reason. This is known as 'endogenous depression'.
So, never hesitate in telling what you feel, to your doctor. This will help him choose the appropriate treatment for you.

If need be, consult a specialist (psychiatrist).

Hope I have answered your questions satisfactorily.
Feel free to ask further if you have more queries.

Take care.
Thanks.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shubham Mehta

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2144 Questions

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Can Xanax Cause Depression?

Brief Answer: never hesitate to tell to your doctor about your illness. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX Welcome to HCM. I have read your query word by word and completely understand your concerns. Your doctor labelled you as 'manic' after listening to your words. I would like to tell you that, technically mania is labelled according to some diagnostic criteria. It is not a casual term. When your XXXXXXX and happiness start interfering your activities of daily living and your activities disturbs others, then a manic disorder can be considered. Probably, you might be just happy that you were out of depression with xanax and your doctor wrongfully labelled that XXXXXXX as 'mania'. You must talk to your doctor about your health issues. Talk to him as usual. Elaborate your concerns. Do not worry about his time. Let him assess your in detail. Be faithful in responding to what he ask. I think he will reconsider his diagnosis. Xanax does not cause depression. But as you have had so many stressors in past (leading to depression), it could be acting as a contributor to your depression. As xanax is not an antidepressant, you might need antidepressant drugs. Definitely tell him about your depression. I think he should not be judgemental about you. This is the nature of depressive disorder that it can relapse even without no reason. This is known as 'endogenous depression'. So, never hesitate in telling what you feel, to your doctor. This will help him choose the appropriate treatment for you. If need be, consult a specialist (psychiatrist). Hope I have answered your questions satisfactorily. Feel free to ask further if you have more queries. Take care. Thanks.