Valium
Moderator: talkhealth
Valium
I suffer with an anxiety disorder. Sometimes it can be quite debilitating. For example, I've just had to take a week off work to recovery from a severe case.
My counsellor has suggested valium to help me through these periods, but I'm not a fan of medication - I don't even take paracetemol for headaches!
What are the pros and cons of medication?
Follow my anxiety journey http://www.twitter.com/BattleAnx
My counsellor has suggested valium to help me through these periods, but I'm not a fan of medication - I don't even take paracetemol for headaches!
What are the pros and cons of medication?
Follow my anxiety journey http://www.twitter.com/BattleAnx
- karenacoyle
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue May 07, 2013 3:37 pm
Re: Valium
Hi
I am sorry to hear that you have had an exacerbation of your anxiety symptoms, requiring you to take time off on sick leave.
Your therapist has suggested that valium may help in those periods when your anxiety is very problematic but you are not a fan of mediation and want opinions on the pros and cons of taking medication in these circumstances.
The benzodiazepine group of drugs to which diazepam (Valium) belongs are quite effective in quickly relieving the symptoms of anxiety. However, they are generally prescribed for short term use only- generally 2-3 week periods as the body quickly builds a tolerance to them and they can become addictive.
I would expect that your GP would not prescribe them for extended periods and would offer instead antidepressants as the first medication of choice - SSRI's such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine.
You can read more about anxiety and its treatment on this NHS link:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Anxiety/Pa ... ction.aspx
I hope this helps and I expect other experts will also give their opinions on your query so do look out for further responses.
Best wishes
I am sorry to hear that you have had an exacerbation of your anxiety symptoms, requiring you to take time off on sick leave.
Your therapist has suggested that valium may help in those periods when your anxiety is very problematic but you are not a fan of mediation and want opinions on the pros and cons of taking medication in these circumstances.
The benzodiazepine group of drugs to which diazepam (Valium) belongs are quite effective in quickly relieving the symptoms of anxiety. However, they are generally prescribed for short term use only- generally 2-3 week periods as the body quickly builds a tolerance to them and they can become addictive.
I would expect that your GP would not prescribe them for extended periods and would offer instead antidepressants as the first medication of choice - SSRI's such as Sertraline or Fluoxetine.
You can read more about anxiety and its treatment on this NHS link:
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Anxiety/Pa ... ction.aspx
I hope this helps and I expect other experts will also give their opinions on your query so do look out for further responses.
Best wishes