Depression as a side effect of Clonazepam?

[juliana]

I have taken 0.5 mg of Clonazepam for panic attacks on an almost daily basis for over 2 years now. When I was severely agoraphobic, I didn't suffer from depression. In fact, I hadn't had a depressive episode in more than 10 years. I've been experiencing quite severe depression over the last 7 months, though. I recently read that Clonazepam can actually cause depression. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is anyone else taking this drug? How does it affect you?

[jitters]

I havent taken them myself but apparently the most frequently occurring adverse reactions to clonazepam are referable to depression. So this is likely the trigger of the depression if it is a new addition to your life if not it could be anxiety related as they do often come hand in hand.

Duncan

[juliana]

Thanks Jitters. I hadn't had a major problem with depression in over 10 years, but the anxiety has been with me since 2000. Even when I was in my flat alone for 4 years, I didn't get depressed. I wasn't happy, mind you, I was often very sad, but I wasn't DEPRESSED. Then, last spring, I took Wellbutrin for about 6 weeks and it threw me into a black hole. I stopped taking it, started feeling better and then my uncle committed suicide in July. It's understandable that that would make me very sad, but I got beyond sad and haven't come out of it. I've been getting worse rather than better over the past 7 months. The weekends are the worst. During the week when I have to go to work, I put on a smiling face, act like my usual cheerful self (it's an act, but at least it's a distraction), but my emotions are totally blunted and on the weekends, I just feel miserable. The worst times are when I'm half-asleep half-awake in the morning. I'm not conscious enough to try to control my racing thoughts and distract myself, so I feel like my mind is torturing me. It's like a dark maelstrom -- pure chaos and pain. Things that should be enjoyable or should make me happy have little or no effect on me. I don't want to talk to my family. I go weeks without checking my voicemail and I don't return phonecalls. I just can't make myself do it. I also obsess and worry constantly about my student loan debts. When I found out I had gotten a new (much better) job, I was very excited and cheerful for a few hours, but then got home from the office and cried all evening. (That was a bit of a relief, actually, because I hadn't cried in months.) Then I spent the entire weekend feeling hopeless and miserable.

I'm on a 10-day break from work between jobs right now and I'm trying my best to keep myself busy so the depression doesn't consume me. Idle hands, idle minds and all that... I get exhausted with constantly trying to distract myself and occupy my mind all the time. It's a constant battle with myself.

I still maintain my sense of humour most of the time and I find I feel better the longer I'm awake. I'm at my best late at night, but that doesn't work well with a 9 to 5 job. I have started taking Cipralex (Lexapro) in hopes that it will help with both the anxiety and depression so I can stop taking Clonazepam. I didn't want to take an anti-depressant. I was hoping the depression would pass within a month or two like it used to when I was in my early 20s. It's not getting better though and I'm looking for any way I can to get out of this hole. I know that I need something for my anxiety because I haven't been able to function without anti-anxiety meds and I worry that Clonazepam may be contributing to this depressive state. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. I'm wordy, in case you hadn't noticed. ;)

[gsmith]

I have taken 0.5 mg of Clonazepam for panic attacks on an almost daily basis for over 2 years now. When I was severely agoraphobic, I didn't suffer from depression. In fact, I hadn't had a depressive episode in more than 10 years. I've been experiencing quite severe depression over the last 7 months, though. I recently read that Clonazepam can actually cause depression. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is anyone else taking this drug? How does it affect you?
Sorry to hear that you have been throught this. Firstly, take a break from your regular schedule for few days and just see, if it can get some change in your behaviour. Secondly, you must consult a specialist for this and act according his/her advice. There are various prescription drugs to get over anxiety and depression, but these should only be used in accordance with the instruction of a physician as such medicines are habit forming and withdrawal from these drugs can be life threatening.

[fernandogress]

I havent taken them myself but apparently the most frequently occurring adverse reactions to clonazepam are referable to depression. So this is likely the trigger of the depression if it is a new addition to your life if not it could be anxiety related as they do often come hand in hand.

Duncan


I do agree with your opinions, it's really a good and flexible job....
Very well said, thanks for sharing.

[brokeninhalf]

I take clonazepam for about 3 years and at first, it feels great. In the last 6 months (due to my work environment stress also), i feel like it contribute more negative thought to me, so i try to cut it off. And it seems better. In my experience, i do feel that clonazepam has a side effect of depression.. and it feels addictive as well. My suggestion is talk to your therapist and get some ideas of this drug.

[RobinS]

I am not a friend of strong pharmaceuticals like Clonazepam and similar stuff. Anti-depressants only surpress certain symptoms of depression but don't really help in fighting it. The side effects are often very tough and you sometimes suffer more than before. I would always prefer a depression therapy (http://www.students.sonoma.edu/users/c/charlest/burn-out.html) or natural remedies to fight the symptoms and would consinder anti-depressants as second or third best choice.

[fernandogress]

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Klonopin:

Bed wetting; clumsiness or unsteadiness; coated tongue; confusion; constipation; depression; dizziness; drowsiness; excessive daytime drowsiness; feeling of a whirling motion; frequent urination at night; headache; increased saliva (spit); lightheadedness; loss of appetite; runny nose; unusual weakness.

Severe allergic reactions interrupted breathing; memory loss; pounding in the chest; shortness of breath; tremor.

[Iridisis]

I have been on .05mg. Clonezepam 4x per day for a couple of years now. I was on Zoloft in the beginning, but was changed to Pristiq two months ago. That did not work, now I'm on Wellbutrin. I seem to be getting more depressed. However, I can't possibly attribute it to the Clonezepam because of circumstances related to the economy. I'm in a position of having no power or control and I tend to think that is what's causing the depression.

[hambone]

[quote="juliana"]I have taken 0.5 mg of Clonazepam for panic attacks on an almost daily basis for over 2 years now. When I was severely agoraphobic, I didn't suffer from depression. In fact, I hadn't had a depressive episode in more than 10 years. I've been experiencing quite severe depression over the last 7 months, though. I recently read that Clonazepam can actually cause depression. Does anyone have any experience with this? Is anyone else taking this drug? How does it affect you?[/quote I have taken clonazepam before and I am taking xanax now. The xanax is in the same familly, a binzodilapam I think. The xanax is stronger though. My doctor has told me that these drugs need to be used in conjuction with a ani-dep like zoloft, lexipro,and such.