Depression and benzos

[lovethesun76]

This is my first post here so here's a little background...  I've been dealing with major depression for quite a few years now.  It's been bad enough that I'm on Social Security Disabilty and I'm only 34 yrs old.  I've been on too many anti-depressants to count or remember, have done the whole ECT thing, etc; however, a few months ago I started taking Parnate and that seems to be really helping.  My goal is to eventually get off of SSDI and go back to work and I'm hoping that Parnate, among other things, will help me do that.  

Anyhow, onto my question...  In addition to depression, I struggle with anxiety and take 1 mg Ativan as needed, up to 3x/day if needed.  The Ativan helps with the anxiety but I've noticed if I have to take it for a few days in a row it really seems to affect my mood, in that I often feel even more depressed than I did before taking it.  I've been on Klonopin before and all that did was make me fall asleep (even on a very low dose), and at least with Ativan I feel as though I can function without feeling so tired.  I've tried Xanax a couple of times and it made me somewhat tired, although it didn't make me feel more depressed like the Ativan can do, but I've heard that it's not good to take Xanax long-term so I've stayed with the Ativan.  Is this a normal reaction to anti-anxiety meds?  I'd like to find a med that can help with anxiety w/out making my depression worse.  Any thoughts or suggestions would be much appreciated!!  Thanks ~

[Jaquta]

Some practical things might help you too.  Things like stress management, relaxation exercises, exercise, getting adequate sleep, eating a healthy diet, etc.

Doing some activity to help reduce the anxiety may mean you can decrease the med without becoming overly anxious.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Jaquta gave you the advice I would have given...I might add that you should first try reducing the dose and frequency of ativan....use it to take a little edge off, not so much that it depresses you....

[Jaquta]

Ativan is also something that should be monitored and used short-term.
I think it would be understandable that you would feel depressed after taking a sedative drug.  From that point of view it doesn't sound very therapeutic.

I think there are other anti-anxiety drugs that could be trialled if necessary.  Buspar is one.

I would also strongly recommend psychotherapy to address what is causing you to feel anxious and depressed.

Good luck!!