Klonopin Nightmare...

Social anxiety was horrible, so I started taking clonazepam (generic klonopin. Started 2 mg per day (1 mg am, 1mg pm). It worked AWESOME at 1st. Of course I had the initial drowsiness, but that went away after 1 week. I felt energetic, talkative, creative, and downright happy. At my job interview, I was the one who initiated conversation. I still had my love for creating music and playing guitar, and playing video games.

Fastforward to one month later. On the same dose. Not working as well, or so I think. Not as outgoing as I was when i 1st started. Although it still helps with my obsessive social anxiety phrases (listen, be confident, eye contact.) I dont have those anymore. Whats even worse though, is I dont really have any huge interests like I used to. I used to be a big workout buff. Now im not. Used to play guitar for hours on end. Now I dont.

My question is this...
Is it the klonopin making me depressed, causing my lost interest in activities. OR, am I depressed about the klonopin not working as well as when I 1st started.

Im either lowering the dose to .5 mg 3*day, or upping the dose to 1mg 3*day.

Anyone with experience with klonopin, please give me some insight. I will greatly appreciate it, as I am at wits end so to speak. Thanks in advance.

I've had the same thing happen. However, just as you did, I realized that I had lost interest in just about everything a few months into treatment. Realizing it is the best thing you can do, because then you just have to get yourself "reinterested." I know it sounds silly, but if you wanna get the full benefit out of the medicine, you gotta just work through the amotivation that can come with it. I just had to start to consciously remember to do the things that I have always done and enjoyed... It all eventually becomes habit again, and at least for me, there was no problem after that.


Peace

as I decrease the dosage, will the side effects decrease also? or if i increase it, will my tolerance go up? i NEED to know everything about this f-ing drug if im gonna take it long term. it has helped me be around people and not feel to uncomfortable, but im still not very outgoing. will upping it do the trick?

In my opinion, I don't think benzodiazpenes are made to be taken daily- That's really what the SSRIs are supposed to be for (Lexapro, Paxil, Zoloft, etc.)

I feel that benzos are best utilized on an "as needed" basis. Occasional use only, not daily. Mainly because of the quick tolerance factor. Plus some people become physically addicted to the stuff (like cocaine) which it then becomes a pill taken just to not feel sick, rather than being helpful.

lots of people have been able to take the drug long term. i am asking if my disinterest in activities is related to the klonopin.

plus SSRI's suck my balls. It turns you into a non feeling zombie.

Yeah I've found when I start taking clonazepam for long periods of time, a lack of general motivation also comes along with it. Just knowing that's one of your side effects though if the first step toward working past it if the clonazepam is helping you with your anxiety, though.


Peace

its working good, but not as good as it could. thinking maybe i will up it to 3 mg per day. maybe thatll make it work better. what do you think guys?

k if u guys dont start helpin me with this issue, i swear im going to off myself. im not lying. I HATE LIFE..

streetsk8er794 said:

k if u guys dont start helpin me with this issue, i swear im going to off myself. im not lying. I HATE LIFE..

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Meds are useless and dangerous, try acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) instead.

Klonopin and other benzodiazepines have a high rate of tolerance. In other words, you're going to keep upping your dose to reach your desired effects. It's not meant to be long term, although it is used for long periods of time in extreme situations occasionally. I personally hate the idea of long term benzo use, simply because of the addiction potential. Should be used max 6 weeks according to the information that comes in the bag from the pharmacy. I've been taking it for over two years. I've tried getting off it twice and actually succeeded once but my damn psychiatrist got me to go back on it again. They're such drug pushers it should be illegal...


Peace

i've been on every benzo there is, diazepam, lorazepam, clonazepam, and alprazolam, im currently taking the alprazolam 2mg as needed, and i like it much more than the klonopin, klonopin makes you into a zombie, maybe you are feeling some of the psychological effects, maybe some sort of addiction to the klonopin? talk with your doctor and see what they say....