Bullet888
Lapsed Senior Member
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2015
- Posts
- 211
Valium (diazepam) has been around since the early 1960s, and despite being one of the oldest and most recognized benzodiazepines on the market, it often gets a bad rap today. Yes, it has its share of side effects—like sedation, dependence, and withdrawal issues—but these are well-documented and have been studied extensively over the decades.
Meanwhile, SSRIs, which are comparatively newer (Prozac was first approved in the late 1980s), also come with their own list of side effects—ranging from sexual dysfunction to weight gain, and even increased anxiety in some cases. The question is whether Valium’s risks are significantly worse.
In reality, both drug classes can be safe and effective when used appropriately under medical supervision. The difference is that Valium, with its decades of clinical use, has become somewhat “demonized” because it’s now a known quantity—people are aware of the potential for dependence and misuse. SSRIs haven’t been on the scene quite as long, so the long-term effects aren’t as deeply etched into public consciousness.
Another possible reason for the widespread demonization of Valium in recent years is a broader shift in public and professional attitudes toward psychoactive drugs, driven by concerns over addiction and the desire to promote treatments perceived as “safer” or more modern. Some experts argue that increased regulatory pressure and tighter prescribing guidelines, particularly in the wake of the opioid crisis, have led physicians and healthcare organizations to become more cautious with any medication that carries a risk of dependence. Others point to the pharmaceutical industry’s promotion of newer antidepressants—many of which are still under patent—over tried-and-true benzodiazepines. Additionally, there has been a cultural shift in psychiatry toward non-sedative treatments and talk therapies, causing long-standing medications like Valium to be regarded with skepticism. Over the past five years, these factors have combined to create a kind of moral panic around benzodiazepines, despite their lengthy track record of responsible use and well-understood side effect profile.
I understand that other benzos are 10 times the potency and have a much shorter half life than Valium but doesn't that just suit the drug companies? I.e. is more addictive.
In my own personal experience I have extreme anxiety and have had it all my life I am embarrassed about it and hide the fact I suffer from anxiety. Doctors in the UK handout SSRIs like they are candy forever and a day with no inhibition whatsoever I looked my prescription record the other day and first of all I was surprised at the amount of different SSRIs I have tried and the side effects some of which especially when starting a course of horrifying
Meanwhile, SSRIs, which are comparatively newer (Prozac was first approved in the late 1980s), also come with their own list of side effects—ranging from sexual dysfunction to weight gain, and even increased anxiety in some cases. The question is whether Valium’s risks are significantly worse.
In reality, both drug classes can be safe and effective when used appropriately under medical supervision. The difference is that Valium, with its decades of clinical use, has become somewhat “demonized” because it’s now a known quantity—people are aware of the potential for dependence and misuse. SSRIs haven’t been on the scene quite as long, so the long-term effects aren’t as deeply etched into public consciousness.
Another possible reason for the widespread demonization of Valium in recent years is a broader shift in public and professional attitudes toward psychoactive drugs, driven by concerns over addiction and the desire to promote treatments perceived as “safer” or more modern. Some experts argue that increased regulatory pressure and tighter prescribing guidelines, particularly in the wake of the opioid crisis, have led physicians and healthcare organizations to become more cautious with any medication that carries a risk of dependence. Others point to the pharmaceutical industry’s promotion of newer antidepressants—many of which are still under patent—over tried-and-true benzodiazepines. Additionally, there has been a cultural shift in psychiatry toward non-sedative treatments and talk therapies, causing long-standing medications like Valium to be regarded with skepticism. Over the past five years, these factors have combined to create a kind of moral panic around benzodiazepines, despite their lengthy track record of responsible use and well-understood side effect profile.
I understand that other benzos are 10 times the potency and have a much shorter half life than Valium but doesn't that just suit the drug companies? I.e. is more addictive.
In my own personal experience I have extreme anxiety and have had it all my life I am embarrassed about it and hide the fact I suffer from anxiety. Doctors in the UK handout SSRIs like they are candy forever and a day with no inhibition whatsoever I looked my prescription record the other day and first of all I was surprised at the amount of different SSRIs I have tried and the side effects some of which especially when starting a course of horrifying
