Psychiatrist won’t prescribe benzos. What now?

The other thing you can do is find another doctor, preferably a woman who might be more understanding of your situation. I'm not saying your psychiatrist isn't, but it concerns me that he keeps raising the dosage of your Effexor even though you say it isn't helping, but it isn't causing any "bad side effects." Personally, I don't believe that's a good enough reason to keep upping the dosage on a medication especially if it isn't working for you.

You say you have "undiagnosed PTSD." You need to find a doctor who specializes in PTSD and be treated for it. Not every psychiatrist deals in PTSD and they don't know how to treat it, mine didn't and when I brought it up she changed the subject. I found out later she has absolutely NO experience dealing with PTSD. I no longer go to her.

Ask your psychiatrist if he has any experience with PTSD. If he says no drop the subject. If he asks why tell him you were just wondering about it. No need to get him all riled up.

If he doesn't, start looking for someone who does and like I said, preferably a woman. From personal experience I have found women to be more understanding and try to get to the bottom of the problem instead of brushing you off.

I wish you the best and please do find someone experienced in PTSD. There are various types of PTSD.

The thing is I did not like what Xanax felt like when I was on it but it was hands down better than having the anxiety.
It is similar to doctors not giving opioids to those in chronic pain who need it. Xanax or any benzo has been known to be abused and known to create withdraws. Opioids are abused just like benzos and that is why doctors aren't as pushy with them. This is also due to age, being in college, and being audited for each prescription that is a controlled substance.
However, I have had days where I do not need it or need to take it. The only time I usually took it was at night to help me sleep due to having intense anxiety around waking up for work early since I have been known for sleeping through my alarm. This created many sleepless nights where I would dose off during college courses or not be able to function at work properly.
My psychiatrist decided to prescribe me sleeping pills that don't work instead of going to Ambien due to the image around it. Ambien is like the sleeping version of an opioid when needing it prescribed. Doctors will avoid it due to keywords from audits seeing how much Xanax was p[described or hydrocodone or Ambien.
This is the issue with being that college-age, being that doctors are weary due to news stories about people OD'ing off benzos while at a party or getting hooked on them. IT is a shame that they generalize the overall public and what they do per patient and it should not be like that.
I am looking into a different psychiatrist who will actually prescribe me what I actually need instead of being afraid of the audits and such.

Over the years the drugs have had a different effect than what they started out having and now are actually causing problems. Each one has slightly different details but the same bottom line result and they want to come off of the drug but can't. The loved one I mentioned, he's now actually suffering each time that he takes the drug, it no longer helps it now hurts him, but coming off of the drug can cause such horrendous withdrawal (two of them have tried and described to me the most horrific experience) so they're stuck. And trying to find a doctor to help you with this is next to impossible. So, even though I understand how much pain you are in and how desperately you want the benzodiazepines to be prescribed for you, I wish the doctor had refused to prescribe this to him. I understand how hard it is to be in anxiety and depression and how grueling it can be but there are other things that can help that don't put you into more torture in the future. Especially if that doctor has an awareness of the nightmare that can happen as a result of benzos and can't be there for you if you were to get into this horrific state, it's best that they don't prescribe it. My loved one is experiencing every single side effect listed on the patient information sheet, his quality of life is totally gone and each day is a struggle and he's miserable. We all wish he had never begun, even though at first it seemed to be helping. In the long run it wasn't worth it at all, all 4 of the people I mentioned are now in an impossible nightmare and I'm in a support group with so many people saying this same nightmare story. I don't wish that for you. If, even knowing this, you still want to take this and to find someone to prescribe it, that is your right and your choice but not from a doctor who's seen the nightmare it can create and refuses to prescribe it. That doctor is actually trying to help by refusing to prescribe it. If you are dead set on taking it, you should find someone who doesn't feel that way about it. My heart goes out to you in trying to find a solution. After what felt like a million years of desperately searching and suffering and thinking things would never be different, I found things that don't necessarily wipe out the anxiety but help me to cope with it so it doesn't get unbearable. I hope that you find the right doctor who can guide you to what works best for you. You need to have a doctor who you can be on the same page with rather than two different viewpoints. Wishing you well!

Sometimes we all need to hear something that we may not want but we know it’s true on the inside. Also please know whatever age, we all make mistakes or do something we are not proud of. It’s okay. Don’t ever feel like you’re alone. No matter how ashamed or upset you may feel. Sometimes a simple conversation can go along way if not resolve certain issues. Step 2: Medication. Even though this is my advice, It’s EXTREMELY IMPORTANT you have a doctor who doesn’t push medications you don’t need or want. If I can say anything to you, I cannot stress how important this is. I have been put on wrong/bad medicine for decades. I’ve waisted years of my life by going to horrible doctors who gave me the worst medicine and advice someone could get. You’re young man, please know when prescribed something if it feels wrong, your doctor should address it immediately and change it if needed. Now, there are a ton of doctors who go with certain medications/prescriptions through medicine reps. They get certain incentives for doing so and will not tell you or alleviate from the certain medications. If a doctor does this, don’t waist your time. Find someone else. I have an amazing doctor for years. He explained to me exactly everything. So this isn’t coming from just me. You said you were looking for benzodiazepines. Please let me give you my advice since I was prescribed them for over 10yrs. Xanax to be exact. While benzodiazepines can do wonders in a panic attack or high anxiety, I would like to give you the best information about how they work and the negative as well. While this may sound a bit technical, this is how they work in English if you know what I mean. There is a neurotransmitter in your brain called GABA. It stands for gamma amino butyric acid. GABA is your natural tranquilizer. It is present at 80% of the nerve connections in your brain. When you are too nervous your brain cells release GABA which causes negatively charged chlorine atoms to stream into your nerve cells. That's good because it makes it harder for other stimulating neurotransmitters to trigger the firing of that nerve. If your brain were a car, anxiety might be like the car speeding down a hill toward a sharp curve. As it comes to the curve it must slow down. The car brakes are applied so that the car can negotiate the curve and not burst through the guard rail. The GABA molecules of your brain are like the brakes in your car. If you don't have enough GABA, your brain is going to be like the car speeding toward a curve with worn out brakes! Xanax acts by making what little GABA you do have work more strongly. This is sort of like applying stronger pressure on weak brakes so that your car will negotiate a curve safely. All benzodiazepines can be very addictive and you have to be EXTREMELY CAREFUL as if you’re taking them and you just stop cold, seizures can hit without you knowing. You have to be very careful even if you take as prescribed and make sure you have a good doctor who can guide you depending on your dosage. If a benzodiazepine like Ativan works or helps you the most, find a doctor who will work with you. Remember, your the one who has to live your life and you want the best quality possible. When doctors prescribe medications, most of the time it’s their OPINION, not fact. That’s why they are “practicing medicine “. I have had doctors basically swear on the Bible about medications and they were 100% wrong. I have walked out before on horrible advice. If you don’t feel your getting what’s write, don’t be ashamed to respectfully decline and if your doctor won’t work with you, find someone else. It’s not worth your time. Always use medications as last resort. Sometimes you can resolve your problems by finding someone who will listen and give you the tools you need to work through something or help you find answers to issues you have been struggling with. If a psychiatrist tells you to watch the sun set. That’s not the advice I’m talking about. Advice or answers to issues that you are having or had. Being as young as you are, there’s nothing wrong with taking a medication when needed but you have your whole life ahead of you. Some of these medications can hook line and sink you. Some of these doctors will keep on going and before you know it your life is really in turmoil. I’m going a little far by saying this and in no way am I saying you have a problem. I’m giving my advice based on my life. There is nothing wrong in asking for help if you ever need but at the same time, just because you need a certain medication, it doesn’t mean you have a problem. Some of these doctors can make you feel ashamed just because you ask for something you need. Notice in the 90’s or probably before you were born, they were prescribing oxycodone like candy only to quickly change almost a decade later. The people caught up were the ones who suffered or lost their lives. Just an example. Find a great doctor no matter how long it takes, someone who makes you feel comfortable and you can trust, be able to talk through issues and resolve, get the medication that WORKS FOR YOU, and never be ashamed. Don’t let them disrespect you and get as many opinions as needed. Not all doctors are specialists in the area you require. You’re happiness and your quality of life is the MOST IMPORTANT. Not there OPINIONS.. Good Luck and hope this helps!