Two very good friends of mine both had benzo reactions that changed their lives. Both were vibrant, intelligent, godly women who took medication prescribed by their doctors when circumstances in their lives caused some anxiety.

Each of them then entered a nightmare that for one lasted a good six months and for the other a year and a half. Both are just now starting to get some relief from the horrendous side effects of these drugs but they still have a long way to go.

The side effects of these medications for anxiety and depression basically stole their lives. Their anxiety grew exponentially and they both became non-functional on a daily basis.

Doctors told them it couldn't be the medications but as they researched them they found that many, many people around the globe are suffering in the same way from these medication reactions.

Yes and no. They can help short term for those that don't have adverse reactions. For those who react negatively, they are far worse then the original problem. They also do not change the underlying problems that caused the anxiety or depression. Counseling is needed to resolve the problems that started the depression and anxiety. "Benzodiazepines are a large class of commonly prescribed tranquillisers, otherwise referred to as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, anxiolytics and sedative-hypnotics... They have five primary effects:

A. Hypnotic (tending to make you sleepy);
B. Anxiolytic (tending to reduce anxiety/produce relaxation);
C. Anti-seizure (tending to reduce the probability of having seizures and convulsions);
D. Muscle relaxant (tending to reduce muscle tension and associated pain);
E. Amnesic (amnestic) (tending to disrupt both long and short term memory).

There may be secondary effects as well…Do not assume that because one benzodiazepine makes you sleepier than another that this benzodiazepine is more potent than those which do not produce sleepiness to the same degree. Often, the reverse is true.

Benzodiazepines are most commonly prescribed for anxiety conditions, especially panic disorder (PD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). They are also sometimes prescribed for seizure disorders. Klonopin, for example, is often prescribed for epilepsy. Benzodiazepines are also prescribed for insomnia and other sleep problems, such as restless leg syndrome (RLS). Benzodiazepines are also frequently prescribed as muscle relaxants."¹

For some of you, you may not experience the severe reactions and long term disability caused by withdrawal from benzos. I certainly hope not. But some will experience long, painful, disturbing and frightening side effects on the medication and during withdrawals.

If you are already experiencing benzo reactions then know that you are not alone and not going crazy. You will get better. Read what others have gone through, join a support group, get some help but don't go it alone. It is a frightening and painful process and others can be on this journey with you.

Do not stop taking them until you do some research to help you with the withdrawals. In addition, you may need to seek out a counselor to help you with your initial problem and you also will want to speak with your doctor about stopping the medication if you are experiencing benzo reactions.

Don't - not until you have done the proper research into the side effects and possible damange they can cause. As I said, some people will experience no adverse effects but no one can tell prior to taking them who will be damaged by these drugs. You need to know the risks of any medication before starting on them.

Do your homework. It is your body, your life and only you can make the informed decisions necessary before taking any medication.

I have watched my friends go through hell and I wish this on no one.

If they had researched first they may have still decided to risk taking benzos but they would have done so knowing fully the risk rather than finding out the hard way later on.