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Does Intake Of Klonopin Help In Curing Depression?
Question: Taking klonopin for three months. Read all the horrific storie about getting off. I got them because I had severe depression. Didn't know they were a depressant The Doctor put me on lamictal and that took forever to work. If I stay on the klonopin I am afraid depression will worsen. If I get off to fast, the same. I am petrified. The XXXXXXX Clinic Psyciatrists just yell and lecture. 1 mg. I did not get the Klonopin at the CC. Got them from a nurse practitioner in my home town. Poisin!
Brief Answer:
Klonopin will not cause depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Klonopin is a depressant in the sense that it reduces anxiety. It will not cause depression. Rather, it lifts the mood.
Do not worry about reducing it. It can be gradually tapered without much discomfort.
Lamictal is not primarily an antidepressant.
For depression, drugs like sertraline or escitalopram would be a better choice.
These drugs take 1-2 weeks to show their effects. Till then, you can continue with klonopin and then taper it down gradually.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor as these are prescription drugs.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Klonopin will not cause depression.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns.
Klonopin is a depressant in the sense that it reduces anxiety. It will not cause depression. Rather, it lifts the mood.
Do not worry about reducing it. It can be gradually tapered without much discomfort.
Lamictal is not primarily an antidepressant.
For depression, drugs like sertraline or escitalopram would be a better choice.
These drugs take 1-2 weeks to show their effects. Till then, you can continue with klonopin and then taper it down gradually.
Kindly discuss this with your doctor as these are prescription drugs.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Doctor,
I was put on lamictal because I tried about six SSRI's and they stopped working after a few weeks. So this was their option. mood has lifted but, but obviously anxiety is still here. I can really work myself up! Thanks for replying quickly, unlike the CC.where the doctors have no compassion, that is, for being psychiatrists. They only worry about running late. You made me feel somewhat better. Funny thing, in the beginning the resident gave me klonopin for sleep. You barely see an attending. He came in the last minute and lectured me on the use of Klonopin. He scared the hec out of me. Then the horror stories about getting off! I guess I read too many blogs on line and get myself all worked up.
By the way a nurse practioner put me on all the SSRI's. They were mad about the facts I went through so many. What was I supposed to do? Suffer?
I was put on lamictal because I tried about six SSRI's and they stopped working after a few weeks. So this was their option. mood has lifted but, but obviously anxiety is still here. I can really work myself up! Thanks for replying quickly, unlike the CC.where the doctors have no compassion, that is, for being psychiatrists. They only worry about running late. You made me feel somewhat better. Funny thing, in the beginning the resident gave me klonopin for sleep. You barely see an attending. He came in the last minute and lectured me on the use of Klonopin. He scared the hec out of me. Then the horror stories about getting off! I guess I read too many blogs on line and get myself all worked up.
By the way a nurse practioner put me on all the SSRI's. They were mad about the facts I went through so many. What was I supposed to do? Suffer?
Brief Answer:
Continue with same drugs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Sorry for the late response.
I would like to assure you that klonopin is a great antianxiety drug. There is lot of individual variation in withdrawal symptoms while coming off the drug.
Do not worry about that. If the drug is working for you, you should take it without hesitation. It can be gradually tapered off later.
Regarding SSRIs, your nurse practitioner has used all on you. May be, you were not given adequate dose/duration of the drugs.
Obviously, you were not supposed to suffer. A person in agony will seek relief from whatever resources available.
I hope you get well soon on lamictal and klonopin. Do not worry about those blogs.
Wish you well.
Regards.
Continue with same drugs.
Detailed Answer:
Hi again.
Sorry for the late response.
I would like to assure you that klonopin is a great antianxiety drug. There is lot of individual variation in withdrawal symptoms while coming off the drug.
Do not worry about that. If the drug is working for you, you should take it without hesitation. It can be gradually tapered off later.
Regarding SSRIs, your nurse practitioner has used all on you. May be, you were not given adequate dose/duration of the drugs.
Obviously, you were not supposed to suffer. A person in agony will seek relief from whatever resources available.
I hope you get well soon on lamictal and klonopin. Do not worry about those blogs.
Wish you well.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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