benzos and modafinil

[CharlieHarmon]

I have been taking different benzos at different strengths for around 5-6 years.  For the past 3 years or so I have been on 5-6 mg of xanax or klonopin.  As of now, I am taking 2.5mg xanax in the morning and 2.5mg in mid-afternoon.  I am willing to go down to 4mg of klonopin.  I have extreme "brain fuzz".  I can't think, concentrate, retain memory, etc...  I feel like a zombie, but my anxiety is bad.  My anxiety is bad, but I have developed depression and my anxiety has increased a lot since I began failing classes, withdrawling courses, dropping them, and getting nothing better than a C or D because I can't think.  I want to give Modafinil a chance, do you believe a psychiatrist would have a problem prescribing such a drug along with alprazolam? I have read of many psych. using a three pronged approach of an SSRI, a tranquilizer, and Modafinil to treat depression.  I would just like your opinion.
Charlie

[CharlieHarmon]

I was in talk therapy for 4 years with 2 different therapists.  I also sought out help at a center with group therapy and painting and videos and finding a higher power all that useless cr*p.  It did not relieve my anxiety or depression in the least.  I continued to go downhill, getting more aggressive, depressed, and stressed.  I finally told my parent and therapist I was through sitting around talking to her about the past because nothing was changing.  Thanks for the advice.
Charlie

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Modafinil is definetly the wrong medication because it increases anxiety so you would be taking one medication to control anxiety and another to stimulate anxiety. Wrong approach.  Charlie, you have tried every medication to suppress your anxiety, but they don't work because you anxiety is newly created each day by what is going on in your mind, and that is the thoughts about your life. Stop looking for the magic cure and go into talk therapy...find the source, and deal with it..it can be done, and should be done.

[CharlieHarmon]

I can elaborate on my symptoms if necessary.  I know 5-6 mg of a benzo is high and not recommended, but it all that has worked for me.  Next time I see my psych. I will being to taper down the benzos, but I truly doubt I will be able to cease using them for several years.  I have tried 90% of all SSRI's, tricyclics, anti-psychotics, and all those strange drugs from the 50s that aren't used widely anymore.  None helped with my anxiety and most caused side effects worse than the problem they were trying to fix.  I used to get 90s-100s on every test, and every class, but I have no motivation, ambition, or brain power.  I feel like a moron.  I take Deplin, gingko, choline, etc... to help, but they seem to do nothing.  I am tired all day and I truly do nothing.  I have accomplished nothing in around 6 years, just a complete stagnation period.  I can't let this continue.