Unsteady, Unintelligible, and Unyielding: Head and Neck Symptoms of Benzo Withdrawal

Dizziness. Migraines. Slurred Speech. Loss of Balance. These are just a few of the benzo withdrawal symptoms which affect the head and neck region of the human body. Learn more and pick up some tips on how to manage them.

In today’s episode, we continue our series on benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms with the physical symptoms of the head and neck. We also hear a success story of detox from high dosages, answer a question about the classes of benzos, and catch up on the news from last week.

https://www.easinganxiety.com/post/unsteady-unintelligible-and-unyielding-head-and-neck-symptoms-of-benzo-withdrawal-bfp020

Video ID: BFP020

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

11:45 Mailbag

14:17 Benzo News

17:10 Benzo Story

24:58 Symptoms of the Head and Neck

43:05 Moment of Peace

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.

MAILBAG

• BENZO FREE: Basics of Benzos — https://easinganxiety.com/post/basics-of-benzos
• BENZO FREE: Types of Benzos — https://easinganxiety.com/post/types-of-benzos

BENZO NEWS

• NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH: Suicide Lifeline 800-273-8255
• BENZO FREE: Suicide Prevention Resources
• PHARMACY TIMES: Study Examines Benzodiazepines with Antipsychotics for Aggression
• SCIENCE DAILY: Anxious people quicker to flee danger
• BENZO FREE PODCAST: Episode #19 – Relationships, Intimacy, and Sex in Benzo Withdrawal
• W-BAD: A Rockin’ Creative Outlet That’s Raising Benzodiazepine Awareness
• JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PSYCHIATRY: Prevalence and Predictors of Benzodiazepine Monotherapy in Patients With Depression: A National Cross-Sectional Study
• W-BAD: Should Benzos Be Banned?

FEATURE: Withdrawal Symptoms of the Head and Neck

• 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.
• Foster, D E. Benzo Free: The World of Anti-Anxiety Drugs and the Reality of Withdrawal. Erie, Colorado: Denim Mountain Press, 2018. https://easinganxiety.com/book.
• Ranger, Laurel. “Benzodiazepines, Related Drugs Associated With Modestly Increased Risk for Alzheimer Disease.” Psychiatry Advisor. June 26, 2018. Accessed May 26, 2019.https://www.psychiatryadvisor.com/home/topics/neurocognitive-disorders/alzheimers-disease-and-dementia/benzodiazepines-related-drugs-associated-with-modestly-increased-risk-for-alzheimer-disease/.
• Zahid, Hina. “Once prescribed, 25% of elderly become dependent on benzodiazepines: JAMA.” Speciality Medical Dialogues. September 13, 2018. Accessed May 4, 2019. https://speciality.medicaldialogues.in/once-prescribed-25-of-elderly-become-dependent-on-benzodiazepines-jama/.

Introduction

In today’s intro, I rambled on a bit about my favorite place, Disneyworld and Disneyland. It was a bit embarrassing but honest. Those of us with anxiety are always seeking out an escape from the incessant craziness of our minds. For me, I could often find the escape in thinking about my favorite place.

Mailbag

What’s the difference: Z-drugs, benzos, sedatives? Which is alprazolam? — I provided some clarification about the different terms and defined the classes of benzos, including benzodiazepines and nonbenzodiazepines (Z-drugs), and shared a bit of information on both.

Benzo News

We discussed a variety of stories around the benzo community in this section today.

Benzo Story

Today’s story was from Max in Colorado.

Feature

Today’s featured topic: Benzo Withdrawal Symptoms of the Head and Neck

In our feature today, we continued with our 14-part series on the symptoms of benzo withdrawal by taking a look at the head and neck. We discussed symptoms such as balance issues, dizziness, vertigo, lightheadedness, neck pain, headaches, migraines, and others. We also discussed a few tips on how to manage these symptoms.

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). <...