Anti-anxiety (benzos) for schizophrenia symptoms (delusions, paranoia)

Hello I’ve had several constant delusions of persecution that have landed me in the hospital many, many, times over the past several years. I’ve tried anti-psychotics but they have really screwed up my body with a lot of the side effects so I’m thinking about trying anti-anxiety meds like kolonopin or something. Has anyone had success dealing with these symptoms or other types of schizophrenia symptoms with just anti-anxiety meds?

Ativan calms my voices down I think.

That is very dangerous.

Those kinds of medications are not for long term use and are highly addictive.

They may work for the symptoms,

But it just isn’t worth the risks.

2 Likes

The thing about anti-anxiety meds is that even though they might help you with your symptoms, once you build a tolerance to them they’ll stop working. The withdrawal from these drugs can rev your symptoms back up.

What if I took it once a week, would that be fine?

Consult with your pdoc. Once a week shouldn’t be bad.

What would be the point in only taking it once a week? You’ll get relief for a few hours a week. You’d be much better off continuing the search for an effective AP.

3 Likes

You need antipsychotics for hallucinating if you hallucinate. Nothing has rid me of delusions. I still have them. Xanax did wonders for my paranoia. It is not as intense anymore but I still have it.

But to be honest. Anyone posting on an Internet forum can’t be that paranoid. I would have never had done that during my intense paranoia phase. So I think you are already somewhat over it. But that’s just my opinion. I don’t know what you’re paranoid about.

I thought the government was monitoring everything I did and to be honest I think they still do but I have gotten to the point where I don’t care anymore. I just do my thing.

3 Likes

I’m not paranoid at this particular moment, but I get paranoid every couple of days then it goes away. I’m always this close to getting hospitalized again. I don’t hallucinate, like I said it’s just delusions and paranoia that come and go.

NO. Antipsychotics help the positives. Benzo’s can be a treatment for other things but not the positives of schizophrenia. There are much better choices these days. I’d explore them!

Wow that’s the same as me

1 Like

Benzodiazepines can help with schizophrenia symptoms like agitation and anxiety. They can take the edge off, many people find them very helpful for delusions because they feel more relaxed and less distressed. Tolerance builds quickly and they are very addictive. Ativan takes effect faster than klonopin and has less potential for abuse.

I take them when I have a hard time. Or if I have to do something that I worry about a lot. I really like the feeling they give me. But it is just drugs. I would just like to take them every day. The fear has gone to the background. That’s why you also have a big chance that delusions disappear when you take that junk.

I would like to take them only “when I have a hard time” but when i get paranoid I’m so paranoid that I don’t even believe I’m being paranoid I just believe that I’m realizing the truth and therefore I won’t go near any medicine because I don’t want to affect my thoughts in anyway.

Can you elaborate a little?

I’ve had a lot of luck with ativan for breakthrough symptoms, but only for short intervals. Like I would take it on top of my regular APs up to a few times a month when I am super stressed and positive symptoms are creeping up. It helps a ton as an antipsychotic like med for me but should only be used in emergency situations (when things are too difficult without them and only if it is a rare thing).

It was prescribed for me but I have an addictive nature so was too afraid to go on them