Talk to me about benzodiazepines....

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I have longstanding issues with anxiety, and generally manage them quite well, using non-pharmacological measures.
I have reasons for being probably more sceptical than most about psychiatric drugs.

However, I've been wondering whether very occasional use of valium (or similar) may actually be sensible. Basically, every now and then (maybe a few times each year), I'll have a night or two where my anxiety goes through the roof, my heart is thudding and I'm pacing and vomiting all night. Can keep nothing down. Nothing can touch it in terms of meditation, exercise, etc. I am temporarily gone. Getting back to normal each time is really, really hard, because obviously I am then exhausted and more anxious because I'm sleep and food deprived.

I know benzos are addictive (and, believe me, this makes me very cautious), but would it make sense to just have a packet I can take one of when this happens, to break the cycle? Does anyone do this, and find it doesn't escalate? Do they even work for that level of anxiety?

TIA

I can only advise that yes they do work for that level of anxiety and unfortunately they are highly addictive which you know. And you may find that you don't just want it when you are anxious.

So in theory you absolutely can use them for situational severe anxiety and they would work.

But long term I feel there is a slim chance you wouldn't become more and more dependent on them even when you aren't anxious.

Every 4 months or so my GP will gibe me 14 x 5mg of diazepam.
He knows l only take when l actually really need them.
They help both with my mental pain and physically pain.
I don't actually take them every days for 14 days.. just as when l need them. .. and often have some left that l take back to the chemist.
I have server PTSD. From something so horrific that happened to me.
That raises its ugly head.

If its night sedation you're after have you tried promethazine? Available OTC, not as problematic as benzos in terms of addiction.

You probably have, but if you haven't, have you tried drowsy antihistamines (OTC sleeping tablets)?

My mum's had panic disorder for over half of her life and is prescribed a whole cocktail of drugs for it, and she was the one who recommended I try a half dose of sleeping tablets for when I'm particularly panicky and in fight or flight. I have GAD and have my moments with it. They really do bring me down a few notches (and obviously help me sleep!).

I used to have quite bad anxiety, I was prescribed oxazepam and it did work really well for those worst days and periods (sometimes I'd take them every day for a long time, other times just when needed). I didn't have any issues with addiction thankfully, stopped using (or needing) them years ago with no problem, but I know my ex got addicted.

Perhaps beta blockers if you haven't tried already. A GP more likely to prescribe them and avoids the addictive element of benzos

They're a godsend for crisis, and for as required medication (protocol) for some conditions.
I don't think your GP will precribe them on as required basis for anxiety that you're managing.
If you genuinely trust that you will only use them very infrequently, you could ask for them to be prescribed for something like flying (for example).

They help in a crisis but you need to be careful, as you have acknowledged they are very addictive.

I think if you go to a GP they aren’t likely to prescribe them as a first line of treatment unless you have exhausted other avenues like antidepressants, beta blockers or therapy.