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Managing the Fear of Benzo Withdrawal (Part 2 of 3)

Updated: Mar 23, 2023

Are you in benzo withdrawal? Do you feel stuck? Hopeless? Do you wish you could be more positive? More active? In part two of this three-part series, you will learn tips for improving your physical and mental health.


Maintaining a positive mindset during withdrawal may sound like a near impossibility — but it’s a goal worth fighting for. And keeping active — while a continuous struggle – can be equally as challenging but just as key to your sanity and success.


Video ID: BFP004

 

Watch the Video


This episode is part of a 3-part series.


The Benzo Free Podcast is also available on...

 

Chapters


00:00 Introduction 02:27 Q&A 08:15 Feature: Managing the Fear of Benzo Withdrawal (Part 2) 23:07 Moment of Peace

 

Episode Summary


Welcome to the second segment of our 3-part series on Managing the Fear of Benzo Withdrawal. This series is derived from a chapter in my book titled, “Managing the Fear,” which focuses on reducing the fear, anxiety, and stress during benzo withdrawal.

Before we dive too deep into our featured topic, we will chat a bit and cover a few questions in our Q&A section on short-term use and symptoms in protracted withdrawal.

 

Feature Series


SERIES: Managing the Fear of Benzo Withdrawal


In my opinion, fear, and the stress and anxiety related to that fear, cause more distress and more complications during withdrawal than anything else. And this fear is not some natural psychological fear. It’s chemically enhanced.


On top of the original anxieties we had before our dependence on benzos, we now have a damaged nervous system that can’t process fear correctly. A system that can send us into a panic state — both psychologically and physiologically — at the least sign of distress.


Above all, stop worrying. Worry, fear and anxiety increase all withdrawal symptoms. Many of these symptoms are actually due to anxiety and not signs of brain or nervous system damage. People who fear withdrawal have more intense symptoms than those who just take it as it comes and think positively and confidently about recovery. — Prof. Ashton, The Ashton Manual


This series is broken down into three separate parts:


PART 1 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/managing-the-fear-of-benzo-withdrawal-part-1-bfp003) — Series Introduction — 1) Taking Responsibility for Your Own Recovery


PART 2 (this video) — 2) Keeping Positive — 3) Maintaining Mental and Physical Activity


PART 3 (https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/managing-the-fear-of-benzo-withdrawal-part-3-bfp005) — 4) Having Kindness for Yourself and Others — 5) Finding Acceptance of Your Condition

 

Episode Description


Today we discuss two essential elements to maintaining a stable mindset during withdrawal: positivity and activity.


2) POSITIVITY Allowing your feelings to happen, all feelings, is critical to maintaining mental health. A positive mindset is not about suppressing your feelings or glossing over them and putting on a good face. That plan of attack can lead to disaster. What I’m talking about is a positive mindset. You still feel sad, angry, mad, and everything else at different times. But when something happens in your life, you will lean a bit more on the positive side than the negative side. Focus on what is good in your life.


\3) ACTIVITY Keeping an active mind and body is critical to success during withdrawal. More and more studies show that keeping your mind active is key to keeping it healthy. This goes double for people with anxiety and triple for people going through benzo withdrawal. And being physically active is equally as important. Studies have shown that the first twenty minutes of exercise garners the most health benefits. Even if you can’t do anything else, a brisk walk every day can do wonders. It’s not just about exercise, it’s about being active.

 

Resources

The following resource links are provided as a courtesy to our listeners. They do not constitute an endorsement by Easing Anxiety of the resource or any recommendations or advice provided therein.


— Ashton, C. Heather. Benzodiazepines: How They Work and How to Withdraw (aka The Ashton Manual). 2002. Accessed April 13, 2016. http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/. — Babyak, Michael, James A. Blumenthal, Steve Herman, Parinda Khatri, Murali Doraiswamy, Kathleen Moore, Edward Craighead, Teri T. Baldewicz and K. Ranga Krishnan. “Exercise Treatment for Major Depression: Maintenance of Therapeutic Benefit at 10 Months.” Psychosomatic Medicine 62(5)(October 2000):633-38. Accessed April 12, 2018. http://www.hibody.co.uk/Exercise%20treatment%20for%20major%20depression.pdf. — Bach, Richard. Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah. New York: Creature Enterprises, 1977. Print. — Finding Nemo. DVD. Directed by Andrew Stanton and Lee Unkrich. Performed by Ellen DeGeneres. Screenplay by Andrew Stanton, Bob Peterson, and David Reynolds. 2003. Buena Vista Pictures, 2003. — Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. — McCarthy, Justin. “More Americans Say Crime Is Rising in U.S.” Gallup. October 22, 2015. Accessed April 12, 2018. http://news.gallup.com/poll/186308/americans-say-crime-rising.aspx. — Meixler, Eli. “‘Remember to Look Up at the Stars.’ Read Some of Stephen Hawking’s Most Memorable Quotes.” Time. March 14, 2018. Accessed March 15, 2018. http://time.com/5198842/stephen-hawking-quotes-universe-life. — Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina. “Global Extreme Poverty.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2018. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/extreme-poverty. — Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina. “Global Rise of Education.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2017. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/global-rise-of-education. — Roser, Max and Esteban Ortiz-Ospina. “Homicides.” Our World in Data (Online Resource). 2018. Accessed April 12, 2018. https://ourworldindata.org/homicides.

 

The Podcast


The Benzo Free Podcast provides information, support, and community to those who struggle with the long-term effects of anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines (Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium) and Z-drugs (Ambien, Lunesta, Sonata).



DISCLAIMER

All content provided by Easing Anxiety is for general informational purposes only and should never be considered medical advice. Any health-related information provided is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems, or to prescribe any medical devices or other remedies. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it. Please visit our website for our complete disclaimer at https://www.easinganxiety.com/disclaimer.


CREDITS

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Benzo Free Theme

— Title: “Walk in the Park”

— Artist: Neil Cross


PRODUCTION

Easing Anxiety is produced by…

Denim Mountain Press


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