Valium for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 3)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 29, 2023

"Valium is the only prescription medication I will ever take and only when needed (mostly only half a tab). It works wonderfully well - no bad side effects either. I think the fact that it has been around for such a long time is a most excellent recommendation."

• Mik...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2012

"This is the best anti-anxiety medicine there is. It doesn't leave you with more anxiety if you don't take your next dose due to the long half-life. Xanax and Ativan, for example, have short half-lives so you feel terrible in a few hours. Stick to good old-fashioned Valium for anxiety."

• Lol...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 30, 2019

"I have been suffering with Bipolar, Severe Depression & Severe Anxiety for many years now & have been put on & tried many different drugs by doctors BUT the only thing that works is Valium & I take up to three 5 mg per day & I feel so good. I can function, I am way more productive & I actually get out & talk to people which is normally a no-no for me. I also get a great appetite which I don't have if I don't take any. I was under a great psychiatrist for many years until he retired. I then had to move to the country where it was extremely hard to even find a GP but I finally did. I have had to go private & he has put me onto a barrage of new doctors to see in the New Year who are all private as well so I am stressed about paying for all of these at the moment & getting the new GP to give me any Valium is like asking for his kidney but on 2 rare occasions he has given ten 10 mg Temazepams which did help but I had to stretch them out."

• Mor...
• November 30, 2016

"I'm 24 and have PTSD, bipolar, and anxiety disorder. I have recently had the scariest panic attacks, 911 calls, and ER visits. So bad I thought I was dying every night. I took Klonopin, and it didn't help. My doctor prescribed this today, and I haven't felt this relaxed or not in fear in a long time. I'm thankful for this medication. I couldn't handle it anymore. Nothing else has helped."

• Tay...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 20, 2025

"I have taken Valium on and off for anxiety for over 20 years. It really is the only medication that has been genuinely helpful for my anxiety. Unfortunately, here in Australia, it has become very hard to get a script for it, with doctors assuming you are a drug addict when you ask. People take all kinds of medications for various illnesses, medications that they become physically dependent on in order to gain relief from their symptoms, but they are (rightfully) still able to access their medications. But not so with Valium, because anxiety is not taken seriously as a chronic illness by doctors, so they restrict our access to this incredibly effective medication. It is beyond frustrating. I am currently tapering off and experiencing side effects because doctors won't allow me to take it long term, even though I did many years ago without issues before the new wave of doctors became so controlling. Yes, Valium is addictive, but it is also incredibly effective at treating anxiety."

• lil...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 15, 2022

"I was 20 when I began having severe panic anxiety. I have been taken to the ER many, many times, doctors saying nothing was wrong with me. Finally, a doctor gave me Valium 10 mg, 4 times a day to start. I took it for 2 years at that dose, then went down to 5 mg, 3 times a day. Now, after 52 years, I am at 2 mg as needed. It's been long, but it has always helped me - saved my life. It is a terrible problem with panic anxiety. Through the years, I was tried on other meds, but this was the best and had no side effects, only relief. I will take it till I pass... I do not feel I was ever addicted because I never used more than told, and my dose never increased. I am grateful to Valium."

• Jaa...
• May 20, 2017

"I take Valium 2mg PRN for panic attacks. I was nervous about using it. I also had this warped idea that I would be labeled a pill head for taking a drug like Valium. I can honestly say that Valium is a lifesaver. The first time I took it, all I could think about was how I regretted not taking it sooner. I can actually live my life now. You have to be careful though. It is very easy to build a tolerance to it. Use the lowest amount you need because you would be surprised how much of a difference 1 mg will make. I have been trying to use it as a tool rather than a crutch. I also have ADD, and Valium helps me fall asleep at night when I feel restless."

• Ale...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 23, 2015

"My disclaimer is: Valium is highly effective in treating stress and anxiety reactions. It has a wide therapeutic index. It is sometimes overly effective, thus why people abuse it. If you do, I can promise the effects will be life-damaging. When taken responsibly (usually a few times a week as needed), it is safe & a godsend for those crippled with anxiety. I had no side effects."

• Toy...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 1, 2016

"I have severe GAD since my teens but it really hit me harder in my early 20s. I had been taking generic Valium for 8 years then got into a psychiatrist. At first, he switched me over to Xanax 1mg 3 times daily, which works for immediate panic attacks but would wear off very quickly. I would wake up first thing in the morning with my heart racing and had to take 1. I told him this and got switched back to my original dose of Valium which lasts all day, 1 and a half 10mg in the morning and the same at night. I no longer had to wake up first thing for my meds, and they pretty much prevent my panic attacks unlike the Xanax. I can function just fine, work with people now that I'm at the right dose, and not be self-conscious. Great medication!"

• nik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 21, 2025

"I started having anxiety attacks and intrusive thoughts, I have OCD. I've been taking diazepam since November 30, 2024, and now I will slowly start to taper off of it. It worked very well with the anxiety, I slept very well during the night. I only took 5 mg of it. I hope the taper goes smoothly and see if anxiety leaves me alone, if not, I'll start diazepam again or maybe an SSRI according to what the therapist suggests to me."

• Pam...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 6, 2022

"Bless the doctor who finally saw this drug as an anodyne for me. I have arterio-venous necrosis, which means my joints are collapsing due to the death of tiny blood vessels, a very painful condition causing difficulty walking and using my arms. Valium not only relieves the pain, it also calms the crippling fear of falling, which keeps me from progressing with my physical therapy after the hip replacement, which I'm finally beginning to walk again after more than 2 and a half years on the Rollator. It allows me to sleep, it blots out social anxiety, and it prevents nausea and muscle spasms. I call it my anodyne... it is THE medicine for me. If I am addicted to it, so be it. I'm addicted to having a livable quality of life! Thank you, Diazepam!"

• Imi...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 4, 2024

"I've been on Valium (diazepam) for over ten years now, and I would definitely recommend it for panic attacks, PTSD, and phobias. Before the diazepam, I was taking 400 mg of Phenobarbital daily. While I still think the Phenobarbital is stronger and better for panic, it's outdated, and no one will prescribe it for anxiety anymore (along with meprobamate and butalbital). Valium is the best benzodiazepine for me personally. It has a fast onset, especially if I am actively panicked, averaging about 15 minutes to an hour, depending on my mood. It's got a long half-life, so I don't get interdose withdrawal, and I get great coverage. After years of being on 40 mg daily, my new prescriber agreed to 60 mg/day as my PTSD is so bad and I have a tolerance, this has been a game changer, and it's working even better than before. Downsides are you cannot drive while on Valium as it is intoxicating, drowsiness and sedation, physical tolerance and withdrawal, and addiction issues."

• Bra...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 15, 2015

"Other than drowsiness for about 45 minutes after taking it, great medicine! Works in like 10 minutes, so if I feel a panic attack coming on, I take my dosage and before I know it I'm calm. It enables me to go into mass public places and can go into crowded restaurants with my family. Valium has given me a huge part of my life back. I know most doctors are against it because dope heads have abused this type of drug. You can only get it from a psychiatrist now, but it saved my social life so I see the shrink monthly! Thanks, Valium"

• Cou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 10, 2023

"Several weeks ago, I had a huge panic attack and took Valium to calm down, but noticed I still had to really talk myself out of the panic attack. The next day, I was unusually anxious, so I took another. This continued until I realized my anxiety was getting out of hand and started antidepressants. Big mistake. Antidepressants made my anxiety much worse, and I still continued taking Valium, thinking my anxiety must be so bad that even Valium can't fix it. After two weeks of this, I ended up in the hospital, having strange body panic attacks I couldn't stop, like my body was just doing its own thing and releasing adrenaline on its own. I was told to come off both medications and start with another antidepressant. I stopped the antidepressants but continued to take the Valium. I then noticed every time I took it, my anxiety would triple and leave me an anxious, quivering, sleepless mess. I stopped the Valium, and now my anxiety is more manageable. Still left with a high heart rate but no more panic attacks."

• Ele...
• July 1, 2015

"I used to be on Valium back in the 90s when it was easier to get for panic attacks and PTSD, and when the narcotics laws changed, I got off of them because my family doctor wouldn’t give them to me. Panic attacks started happening again when I have a thyroid disorder. Now I’m seeing a psychiatrist to get them again, and they have given me part of my life back. Before seeing a psychiatrist, my doctor tried me on multiple different SSRIs, and none of them worked. SSRIs gave me ED. Valium has only one side effect to me, and that is just being drowsy for an hour or so. Valium is a life-saver."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 10, 2023

"Valium has helped me more than any other anxiety or antidepressants I have taken since 1995. I have always looked at a situation and seen the danger, and it affected my ability to enjoy most activities. My anxiety put stress on my marriage and my parenting. I was constantly afraid or paranoid of danger and accidents. I take 10mg 2 to 3 times a day. I occasionally get tired but have no other side effects. I am more relaxed and less stressed concerning accidents. Xanax, Klonopin, and Gabapentin did not work for me. I do take 2 other antidepressants for Major Depressive Disorder."

• ano...
• April 12, 2024

"Valium is the best drug for me for spasms in my neck and shoulder, and for anxiety as well. It is rated the highest on drugs.com. Many consumers think it is effective. Some of the best medications are being blackballed by the DEA and the CDC. Patients don't believe the propaganda against Valium. It is not sedating for me and is one of the most effective medications I have taken. The pain clinic might tell you there are better drugs for muscle spasms. Patients don't believe a lot of what pain clinics say. The pain clinic employees should concentrate on treating pain, not causing pain and not trying to police patients. They have hurt many patients, and that is unacceptable."

• Don...
• December 15, 2020

"Due to many life events over 25 years, I live with PTSD and debilitating anxiety at unexpected intervals. Was tried on antidepressant medication with horrible side effects and not much of a primary effect. What has proven very effective is a low dose of Valium only when needed, along with psychological support, exercise, and a healthy diet. Valium turned my life around, is by script only and not taken daily. Even just knowing it is there as needed removes some anxiety without needing to take it. Young, inexperienced doctors are less likely to prescribe it. Wise and worldly doctors will monitor the dosage and regularity of scripts as well as making Valium just one part of a holistic treatment in the short term. At times, I could not leave my condo, yet with a broad and experienced approach to PTSD and severe anxiety, my life, sleep, social interaction, and personal discipline have normalized for the better. It is a gentle drug, unlike other drugs in its family that are stronger and highly addictive."

• Jon...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 6, 2022

"There is nothing to treat anxiety like Valium/Diazepam - that the Federal government and the states issued laws that put a chilling effect on doctors to prescribe it is so unfortunate. They legalize marijuana and create a black market for excellent medications for anxiety/insomnia. They have created a black market for these medications at a time when fentanyl overdose is rampant in these United States."

• Anonymous
• February 10, 2012

"When I finally got a doctor to prescribe Valium, it was a life-changing start. I always had social anxiety and was very introverted. After being on Valium, I quickly moved up in my company because I could interact and socialize with no fears or anxiety. After a few years, I was in charge of up to 50 workers and always got good feedback from customers and professionals related to our work. I was able to focus and enjoy dealing with many different personalities. The only problem was getting very sleepy while driving."

• Suf...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 27, 2018

"My psychiatrist prescribed this for me reluctantly when I demanded some relief from horrible anxiety. I did not abuse it, and he monitored my intake. In the first few years, I averaged 10 mg per week. I went through a horrible personal tragedy and upped the dose, with psychiatrists' full knowledge. The tragedy lasted 3 years, and I quit Valium cold turkey. I stayed in bed 8 months and learned the meaning of the phrase 'pray without ceasing.' Literally. For those who need some kind of timeline, I speak from experience that withdrawal eased up after 8 months. God willing, I will never touch benzos again. Short-term, for some patients, they offer some benefits. Short term ONLY."

• Eis...
• June 12, 2010

"Unlike some benzodiazepines like lorazepam, which is short-acting, Valium is much better for those with social anxiety instead of once-in-awhile panic attacks. Valium is in the system for longer. Lasting effects are often desired as the medication will not need to be taken as often. This fact has been great for people who greatly fear addiction and overdose as a result of short-acting benzodiazepines. I personally was previously on Lorazepam for serious anxiety. Even though I was on it for several months, addiction or overdose was never a problem for me. However, I don't like taking pills generally, especially very often. Out of safety and convenience, I was placed on Valium. It works much better for me."

• Anonymous
• July 7, 2011

"I'm only 15 years old, but I've been suffering from anxiety to the point of near-suicide, and Valium has saved my life more than once. I currently take Cymbalta daily, and Valium whenever I need it (roughly 5 times per week), and I have now been able to return to living a normal life. (I had to quit school for a little while). I would recommend this medicine to absolutely ANYONE who suffers from frequent anxiety, it may permit a better lifestyle."

• noc...
• May 21, 2014

"This is a wonderful medicine for anxiety. It works within 20 mins and lasts for a long time because of its long half-life. However, if you are suffering from depression, especially clinical depression, I would not recommend taking this. It will worsen your depression symptoms if taken too often. If you started an SSRI antidepressant, it can be used early on to help with some side effects like increased anxiety in the first few weeks on the medication."

• Mel...
• February 23, 2016

"Used for 17 years, worked well at first but needed increased doses as I became tolerant. Held the same dose for the past 7 years then suddenly became acutely anxious and agoraphobic, dose was increased again but the only result was awful unsteadiness on my feet. Finally, I was told that some people get withdrawal symptoms even while taking the same dose, and it seems that is the problem I have. Never been this ill in my life and now I face having to taper off it which scares me. My experience and opinion is it was fine short term but long term caused me more problems than it ever solved."