Xanax and Depression: What Users Say

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

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

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

"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

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."

• Sir...
• September 24, 2013

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."

• Emm...
• October 15, 2017

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."

• Hop...
• September 23, 2018

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

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

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

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

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."

• Ctf...
• September 6, 2011

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."

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

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."

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

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."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2016

For Depression "I take 2 mg. It makes me calm, but also depressed and sad, with no energy."

• mar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2016

For Depression "I take 2 mg. It makes me calm, but also depressed and sad, with no energy."