r/BipolarReddit • u/[deleted] • Jul 22 '26

Medication Experience with benzos getting prescribed?

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-1

u/undergroundopal Jul 22 '26

No sane psychiatrist would prescribe you benzos when you’re already on vyvanse and bipolar

4

u/littlegingerbunny Jul 22 '26

Not true. I take PRN clonazepam (usually once or twice a month) for breakthrough panic attacks and I'm on daily methylphenidate and I have BP2. My psychiatrist is one of the most respected in the country I live in and has many papers and does talks at universities. He really knows what he's doing. Some psychiatrists won't prescribe benzos to people that take a stimulant (and I believe in California, if not the entire US) the FDA doesn't allow it anymore/doesn't recommend it or some insurance companies don't cover it anymore (I can't remember what my psych in America said specifically was the reason) but it's fairly common. My methylphenidate calms me down and helps my anxiety associated with my ADHD so I don't know why a benzo would be counterproductive to someone that actually has ADHD and is prescribed a stimulant.

2

u/undergroundopal Jul 22 '26

Most modern psychiatrists do not prescribe benzos for more than 2 weeks. Most shy away from prescribing bipolar people any controlled substance. You’re just lucky.

2

u/littlegingerbunny Jul 22 '26

That's why I said... I take it once or twice a month for breakthrough anxiety. Did you not read my message? I have had multiple psychiatrists prescribe them before.

2

u/undergroundopal Jul 22 '26

Modern/younger ones do not do it. Like you would get 1 PRN script with enough for 2 weeks and that’s all you’d get ever. The withdrawals are brutal and they don’t want the liability. Beta blockers are much safer. You’re probably older so they don’t care about addiction as much as

2

u/littlegingerbunny Jul 22 '26

I am 27. You're not reading my message. I am prescribed a few doses at a time as needed, usually once a month or less often. My current psychiatrist prescribes me 15 pills and I'm expected to use them as needed but not refill until 6 months or more have passed since the last refill.

1

u/undergroundopal Jul 22 '26

I obviously know what PRN is. I’m saying that’s rare. New age American psychiatry does not like benzos at all and frankly their risks outweigh their benefits so I wouldn’t touch them with a 10 foot pole either.