Anxiolytic Medication

Anxiolytic Medication
Sunday October 28, 2007

Dear Dr. Miller,

About a year and a half ago, I went through a course of therapy after reading your books that I believe helped me in resolving some of my problems with depression that stemmed from my parents’ neglect and abuse of me as a child. I participated in this therapy for about nine months. During this time, I developed extreme anxiety symptoms and frequent panic attacks. I was referred to a psychiatrist, who prescribed Klonopin (a benzodiazepine) and Atenolol (beta blocker). These drugs did help in alleviating most of my anxiety symptoms and have allowed me to continue in my current job, which requires a lot of public speaking. I feel I have been able to break free from the idealized vision of my parents as loving parents, but I don’t think I have worked through the pain that I had to repress during my childhood. I am thinking about re-entering therapy, and I am seeking your opinion about my continued use of these drugs. Will they prevent me from being able to access these repressed feelings? I am afraid that if I stop taking them, I will be unable to work. I am also afraid of withdrawal from these unfortunately very addictive medications. Any advice you could provide would be appreciated. Thank you. M.

AM: You write: “I am seeking your opinion about my continued use of these drugs. Will they prevent me from being able to access these repressed feelings? I am afraid that if I stop taking them, I will be unable to work. I am also afraid of withdrawal from these unfortunately very addictive medications. Any advice you could provide would be appreciated.”
I can’t change your reality. If you think you can only work when you take the medication, even though you see the danger of loosing your TRUE SELF, I am unable to give you any advice. It is up to you to make the choice. You are well informed about the effects of your medication. I can only say that in my opinion you will not loose the capacity to work if you decide to live with your true self. I think that the opposite is true. But it is possible that you will have to change the “work” you are doing now.