Alprazolam and Depression: What Users Say

• Nor...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 12, 2024

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "I spent my adult life working in war zones, etc., and for many years, suffered from anxiety, depression, and nightmares. I eventually got to the place where I had a hard time making it through a day. When I was finally diagnosed with CPTSD, I tried at least a dozen different combinations of meds, and none really worked until I was given venlafaxine and Xanax. I no longer feel drugged, numbed, or emotionless. I no longer fight anxiety and depression just to make it through a day. Xanax made normal life possible again for me."

• tyl...
• November 14, 2016

Xanax (alprazolam) for Depression "I am 19 years old, turning 20 next month, and I have panic disorder for a long time. I'm gay and my life was not easy at all, my dad doesn't support me and then I got also depression. I take this medication for about 2 years now and I can tell you: it works so well and it saved my life. I was afraid of going out in public, working, etc. My life was terrible with all my anxiety attacks and that was destroying my life. If you feel the same, talk to your doc and ask for Xanax, but DO NOT TAKE without prescription. IT IS a drug and you must control it!!!!"

• jos...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 22, 2020

Xanax (alprazolam) "Stop smoking back 6 weeks ago after almost 37 years. This has brought on constant coughing with problems of getting rid of smoker's phlegm, plus depression, lack of sleep, and constant thoughts that I am going to die because my respiratory and chest are full of phlegm and short of breath. Finally getting Xanax 0.5 twice a day. Real different is that I am positive now. I can sleep almost 8 hours a night and have positive thinking of an ex-smoker, and my body is recovering slowly but consistently."

• Luv...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 11, 2017

Xanax (alprazolam) for Depression "I started Xanax 14 years ago after taking Klonopin for years. My life changed for the better instantly. Before Xanax, I was trapped in my own mind, constantly worrying instead of enjoying my family! It has now become a curse. For years, I've been on 4 mg daily, and I have severe panic attacks, depression, and insomnia. 50 mg of Trazodone for insomnia is not helping, so I use my Xanax to sleep, then, I run out early, leading to detox. I'm just going in circles! I discussed with my family about going to a detox center and starting over with other meds."

• Emm...
• October 15, 2017

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "I was diagnosed with panic disorder and generalized anxiety disorder 24 years ago. I suffered for many years during that time and did not take any medication with the view that I would fix the issue naturally. I tried the natural way for years, avoidance behavior became the norm and a way of coping. Nine years ago, I was at a tipping point in a very stressful job and finally was prescribed Xanax (alprazolam) by a GP. For the first time since my teens, when the anxiety began, I finally had relief. This medication has been a complete game changer for me and has improved my quality of life by 1000%. I have been taking 0.5 mg twice a day for the past 8 years and haven't had to increase the dosage. This medication is now sadly classified as a Level 8 drug in Australia due to people who don't need it abusing the drug and ruining it for those who really need it. My psychiatrist is now trying to switch me to Ativan. I have been taking it for approximately a month now, and it makes me feel depressed and empty, and I have never had depression. I need 2 mg to ease my anxiety (double the dose of Xanax), and it basically makes me feel like crap. Feeling incredibly overwhelmed and annoyed that this medication, which has helped me so much, will probably no longer be available in Australia."

• Sir...
• September 24, 2013

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "I have had very emotional ups and downs in life, and after getting married 15 years ago, my life became more hectic. 10 years ago, when I lost my cousin, I had panic attacks, and I became a hypochondriac. I took Anxit (Xanax) 0.25 to 0.5 mg twice a day. I stopped all of a sudden after a year and did not notice withdrawal symptoms, as depression was somewhat like part of life dealing with people. Now, recently, I started having very bad panic attacks, and I almost stopped going out alone, as I was scared to go out alone, and my panic was of heart attacks and death by sudden reasons, etc. For the past week, I again started taking Anxit 0.25 mg once in the morning and night. I am fine and happy for the past week, and I want to continue the same dose."

• Hop...
• September 23, 2018

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "Xanax can be wonderful for anxiety. I am prescribed 0.5 mg 4 times a day, but I don’t take it most days. I do have anxiety every day and think about taking them, but if at all possible, I try not to take them. If I take them every day or too often, I get depressed. But proper use helps me to actually get things done that I would not have the energy or drive to get out of the house."

• Naz...
• September 22, 2016

Xanax (alprazolam) for Panic Disorder "Please be very careful, and I repeat, very careful. My doctor prescribed Xanax to treat my panic disorder from underground stations (London) phobia of being under the earth's surface. I was managing fine with other medication such as Vistaril, which did a great job but was keeping me tired. Almost two months later, I asked my doctor to take me off of them because Xanax just makes me want to sleep and sit on the couch doing nothing. We tried all dosages, and I still felt sad inside. Here is the shocking part: only eight days after my last dose (which was weaned slowly over two weeks), I had my first ever seizure at the age of 29. I never had seizures, no family history. Never ever will I touch this stupid medicine again, never."

• Anonymous
• October 21, 2008

Xanax (alprazolam) for Depression "I have severe depression and general anxiety disorder. I take 100 mg/day of Zoloft, and that pretty well takes care of my depression and most of my panic attacks. Occasionally, I'll take 0.25 mg for a panic attack, but I'm cautious because sometimes the downside of coming off a panic attack sends me into a fit of depression. I highly recommend both Zoloft and Xanax. I just want to put the word out there to use good judgment when treating a panic attack when you have depression as well."

• Blo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 16, 2018

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "I have had bad anxiety for years. Started with buspirone, but it gave me nightmares and made me stutter a little bit, so I stopped the pill. I went in for my board exam for respiratory care, and I failed. During the end of my test, my heart started racing, chest pain. I was having a panic attack. I went to the doctor, and I was prescribed Xanax. She told me to take 1/2 a pill (0.5) before my test, and I did. During my test, I felt calm, normal, fresh mind. I could think clearly. I wasn't anxious at all. I passed. It's been a great pill. I love it. But tonight, I took 1/2 before bed, and 30 minutes later, I started crying. I am depressed too before starting pills. But for the most part, Xanax has been so good to me."

• Car...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 29, 2021

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "Started taking it about 40 years ago, 1 mg at night for insomnia. After a few years, hearing about the addiction potential, I dropped it to 0.05 a night, which still worked. About ten years ago, I was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and started using the CPAP device so I would not be woken up by episodes of breathlessness. I could then cut the usage to 0.0125. I have tried to wean myself off completely numerous times, but I believe my brain has an addiction, even at such a very small dosage. After 3 days without it, I feel very depressed and cannot function well. So I go back onto it, and within 1/2 hour, I am back to feeling normal and functional. I am 78 years old and have no interest in going off of it. It keeps me functional, and how many good years do I have left."

• Azs...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 21, 2020

Xanax XR (alprazolam) for Panic Disorder "I was just recently prescribed Xanax XR 1 mg 2 x a day. I had been on Clonazepam 1 mg 4 x a day for at least ten years. But I've been on the drug itself for about 20. The past year or so, it's just stopped working, and I'm pretty sure it's because of the whole tolerance thing. I'm really not sure about the Xanax XR. I've taken Xanax before, but this is definitely different. I don't think it's good for immediate panic relief, and my anxiety is still bad. I'm not in any major discomfort, but I feel very depressed. I'm not liking the Xanax XR, I'm not sure what it is. It's definitely different. I think it's made me more tired and fatigued. Like I don't want to do anything. I'm going to ask my doctor to just go back on my Clonopin. I'm really trying to taper off the benzos."

• Ctf...
• September 6, 2011

Xanax (alprazolam) for Depression "Have panic attacks approximately twice per year, emerging with breathing problems. Resulted in depression, with sleep hours falling from a normal 8 hours to 2-3 hours. I fight depression with citalopram hydrobromide (Exenadil 20 mg). Xanax helps me sleep whenever I feel I will miss my sleep. My schedule: take depression medicine every two months for a 6-month period. Take Xanax ONLY at night before sleep WHENEVER I feel I will miss my sleep. Fight my ugly morning wake-ups by my own doing the most favorable things of the day in the morning."

• Tev...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 18, 2019

For Anxiety "It takes an act of Congress to get this help from this medicine anymore. So many people have abused it to the point doctors will force you to spend hundreds of dollars on trials of medicines that simply don’t work on a lot of people. I have chronic pain after several very serious surgeries and have never in 12 years had a count issue. I even had my medicine lowered in mg. Then I now am depressed and have several anxieties, and the doctors treat you like a drug addict on the street. I’m very seriously thinking about just stopping going at all anymore, a 0.5 pill isn’t helping me and all the money I’m spending on the other medicines that don’t work. Why on disability actually makes the anxiety and depression worse. You’re truly fighting a lost cause."

• Vin...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• February 16, 2021

For Depression "I've been on several SSRIs the past years, but none of them managed to work for my depression as a monotherapy. For my depression, it is necessary to associate SSRIs + alprazolam. If I am not taking alprazolam, I start to feel depressed and anxious. So this drug really works great for me, and I am glad to take it. It allows me to live very well, without being stressed about everything."

• jan...
• April 16, 2013

For Depression "Xanax is a great medicine when taken moderately and carefully. I take 2 to 4 mg every once in a while to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, and boredom. Although alprazolam is incredibly effective, I must warn that it is also extremely dangerous when taking too much or if taken for a long period. Secondly, it works great for panic attacks, but don't forget that if you stop taking the medication, your stress and anxiety will return with a brutal vengeance."

• han...
• June 21, 2016

For Panic Disorder "I have been taking alprazolam for about 10 years. I started with 0.5 mg daily as needed. But my anxiety, panic attacks, and depression got worse. My doctor increased it to 0.5 mg twice a day. It worked for a short period of time. Now I feel so terrible that I take 1 mg 3 times a day, sometimes 4 mg a day. Anxiety is still present with panic attacks. The doctor added Lexapro 10 mg daily; I could divide 5 mg am and 5 mg pm. I have moments of tranquility, but they are short. I tried meditation; soft music makes me more depressed. I have no family members and basically no friends. No energy or desire to do things I used to like. I stay at home most of the time, afraid to drive. I don't have money to see a counselor, only every 3 months to the psychiatrist."

• And...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 23, 2021

Xanax (alprazolam) for Anxiety "2 years, 4 mg a day. This was the worst two years of my life I don't remember, arrested twice. Constantly had the urge to steal things or make trouble. I had to take this garbage 4 times a day, vs. lorazepam's once or twice a day. People who praise this drug must get a different effect than me, it lasts 1/2 as long as Ativan and makes me insanely forgetful and stupid. I think it's garbage in the long run. Took me 3 months to taper off of too, absolute trash."

• Mtg...
• October 27, 2015

For Anxiety "I have suffered from anxiety for most of my life. Starting as early as 10 years old. As I got older, it only got worse. I'm naturally the quiet type that isn't very sociable, inept. After high school, I started suffering deep depression. Tried self-medicating with weed and other things, only to find it worse. Xanax is the only thing that can help with my anxiety and depression. All I need is 1, and I feel like I am in control. I take trazodone nightly and Xanax as needed, and I can honestly say I love my life."

• OhS...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2019

For Anxiety "I have complex PTSD. I have been told by more than three doctors that Valium was made specifically for me. However, now doctors fear prescribing it, so I’m being prescribed Xanax. It does stop panic, but I feel tamped down and am frustrated at everything. I won’t complain because it’s better than nothing, and I’m calm in a heavy way. It is unfortunate how a new doctor, arbitrarily assigned to me, just decides to put me back to square one and how she decides she wants to “try other things” on me, not understanding that I’ve been down all those dead-end roads and tried all those unfortunate “treatments,” and I know what works. So this Xanax will have to do, as that is what she has decided. Begrudgingly, at that. It works, but I feel tired and sad. And very frustrated."

• MIK...
• October 24, 2020

For Anxiety "Alprazolam works great for short-term anxiety or depression. But short-term, 8-12 weeks, low doses less than 1 mg. The damage this drug does to the way you think, act, and feel is unreal. I was addicted to benzos for six years. At the end of my road, I was doing 3-4 mg a day just to get through till tomorrow. If I was looking to get high, it took 10 mg or more. When I finally decided to try and quit, I was a raging suicidal maniac. I had severe migraines, several seizures, diarrhea, insomnia, no hunger, muscle pains, and no motivation for life. After about 12 weeks, the physical symptoms mostly went away, but the mental pain never heals. You will always need them to strive and be as outgoing as you were before. It steals your motivation for life because you forget how to deal with the smallest amount of stress. So instead of worrying, stressing, and panicking, you do nothing. Short-term use only, very harmful if taken longer than 12 weeks."

• Mis...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 12, 2021

For Anxiety "I was put on alprazolam 10 mg several years ago. I had no idea what anxiety was. I have familial depression and Dr. and hospital had me take 1/2 twice a day. I actually felt more normal than I had been in a long time. I did it along with my type of yoga every day. I am still normal, I take 300 mg XL of bupropion, same mfg Par Pharm for 10 years. Last August 2020, I went down and felt awful until my druggist suggested separate 30-day bottles, and I was fine again for 7 months until the beginning of March. New bottle, and I'm down again. I am starting to come back up at the 11th of March. I no longer trust the mfg., and I was hoping for Teva as my change and would greatly appreciate new updates on availability."

• iri...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 22, 2018

For Anxiety "Alprazolam does help my anxiety better than other anxiety medications. It really helps me breathe better, faster when panicked. The problem I have is the next day it leaves me irritable and sad. It feels like it is canceling out my antidepressant when I take alprazolam."

• Aya...
• January 1, 2021

For Depression "Alprazolam definitely helps TMJ. Helps the anxiety for the most part. I have built some immunity to it, though I notice my depression is extremely worse in the morning. I’m pretty sure that my tolerance is high for sedatives now, as I’ve woken up during a colonoscopy and had to have extra sedation for a translam epidural. I’ve been taking it for a lot of years. I was almost off of it, but I was having trouble with the med they give you to control side effects, as going off of it without a psychiatrist’s help can really be bad for you (seizures, heart issues). The withdrawal is pure nightmare material without any help. The bf took his life at that time also, so back to square one. I do wish the doctors would stress how addictive this medication is. Only a few should be prescribed at one time. Taken three days and you will be weaning yourself off. I have noticed memory issues, though. Good luck to all."

• Pur...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 6, 2012

Xanax (alprazolam) for Depression "Works well for some anxiety, but it caused me to be tired and sleepy. I slept a lot while on this and was still depressed."