"Diagnosis of benzodiazepine dependence"

I attended Albany emergency department in a state of anxiety. At this point I was desperate for help as I was having continual panic attacks and was unable to sleep or to sit still for long. I attributed this frightening state to the recent suicide of my father and to great concern about Covid. I have experienced anxiety before but this was off the scale.

Dr Maria was extremely compassionate and caring but she did more than provide a much needed port in the storm. She made a diagnosis. I had become dependent on Valium, a prescribed benzodiazepine. This was a shock to me as no other doctor had ever suggested that my on and off use of a prescription drug over the last few decades could have been contributing to my anxious state. Instead I was prescribed antidepressants (which never worked or agreed with me) or sent to counselling. More recently TMS was suggested.

At the time of writing this, it is now nearly 8 months since I stopped taking Valium and my life is getting better and better. Still some withdrawal symptoms but anxiety is no longer much of an issue.

Thanks Dr Maria, I believe you probably saved my life.