Posted by Mr.Scott on November 19, 2002, at 19:09:49
In reply to Re: What do Benzo's do exactly? » Mr.Scott, posted by Alan on November 19, 2002, at 0:53:03
Thats a good article! Thanks for sharing it.
I still believe that the balance of information is in favor of SSRI's over Benzo's as first line drugs. Now admittedly that may be because SSRI's are newer and less negative info that is credible is published, but there is literally entire forests of literature on the evils of benzos. Ranging from impairment of learning to aggravation of depression and not the least of which includes self administering across multiple species. Even brain shrinkage has been linked to high potency benzos (although it remains unproven as to whether or not co-administered alcohol might have contributed).
There is no perfect drug. They all have risks and benefits. I advocate only the best way to alleviate suffering, and from my point of view if you can do it with Lexapro or Prozac thats probably (although not necessarily) going to cause less problems than Ativan or Xanax. Also, SSRI's are more versatile than Benzo's for psychiatric illness in general, and I have met very few people who have anxiety and no obsessiveness or depression. But hey... if all someone needs is a benzo I'd say they are a very lucky psychiatric patient!
Scott
poster:Mr.Scott
thread:128143
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128374.html