Has anyone tries benzos (valium, xanax, or Klonapin) to help quiet their intrusive thoughts? I used to take xanax and now I take valium and it seems to help a ton! Just curious if anyone else has had luck with these? I know they're not specifically for OCD but my doc prescribed them for my anxiety and I am so glad he did.

As mentioned above Benzos are very addictive and aren't a long term solution to getting on top of OCD. If you have been on Benzos for a long time you will need to taper down so dont ever try stop taking benzos without your doctors advise as they will give you a regime to help you come off them slowly

So great that these are helping you!!

They help but truly addictive.Im having a hard time to stop diazepam for good.

Addictive and dangerous. Be careful.

@orpheusly yes I know... But I am having them prescribed and watched by a doctor but it seems to be the only thing that pacifies my intrusive thoughts

@wasted how long have you taken it?

Hi I’m a college student here and i am i guess what u call a “partier” so I’ve been around many friends and people who have taken many types of drugs including Xanax aka bars aka beans. I personally don’t do any drugs besides weed (which i rarely do anymore) and alcohol (which I’m trying to quit) because I’m focusing on my school work. Any who, out of all my friends who’ve done coke molly ecstasy acid shrooms adderall , antidepressants etc, Xanax has been the one that changed there life for a negative and from the looks of it been the most addictive. My roommate was addicted to xans and got sent to rehab and then was sober for 6 months and then relapsed because he still had a craving for xans every single day. Although he was not prescribed Xanax so I’m hoping If your doctor is monitoring you closely, hopefully you’ll be good. Just don’t be on them for long.

Recovering benzos addict here. Doesn't matter if the doctor prescribed it, only takes 3 days for you body to become chemically dependent on them. Next thing you know you're popping them like candy to try to chase away the intrusive thoughts, but it wont work anymore. Try therapy. Benzos are a very dangerous pacifier.

I've done a number of benzos as well as z-drugs (a family of hypnotics similar to benzos). They help a lot with intrusive and obsessive thoughts, but they are quite addictive, and can impact your mental health in other ways if they're used irresponsibly. If you're using them only when needed, at the dosage prescribed, and not over a long period of time, I think they could be good tools to give you a break from your intrusive thoughts and give you time to catch your breath and get yourself on track. But if you use them excessively and at times you don't need them, and you start experience withdrawal symptoms, that is a cause for concern. Do your research on the meds your taking and remember that they aren't a substitute for ERP!

Note that benzos lower your seizure threshold as well