Side Effects of Benzo Medication that is for Social Anxiety
When you take a Benzo type medication for an example - Xanax, Valium, Klonopin - one of the side effects would be temporary memory loss. These medications are usually taken for social anxiety. I personally started on Xanax back in '94 and about eight years later, switched to Klonopin to level things out a bit (which was a good decision, however, it worked for me, but may not for work everyone else).
I've had social anxiety since my early teens that led to panic attacks and in my twenties, I wanted to overcome at least my panic attacks - where Xanax did help eventually. However, I worked in the IT field and my co-workers every now and then shot a remark at me for being so forgetful. I didn't notice it back then, but I was really in denial.
One night about four years ago, I knew I was in trouble. I was sitting in my loft reading a book, and back then, we had a treadmill in the same room. I so happened looked up and focused my attention on the treadmill and for some reason, I couldn't remember what it was called. I stared at it for about ten or fifteen minutes and tried to recall what this contraption was called. I couldn't believe I forgot the name of the object. So I turned to my daugher and asked her, "Hey Karrington. What's the name of that thing over there?". She said, "That's a treadmill daddy!". I couldn't believe I forgot the name of this exercise machine. That when I knew something had to be done about this problem I had.
I think my advice for anyone suffering from short-term loss at their job is to have a notepad on hand. I have one on my desk at work and would jot down certain things so I wouldn't forget them. This has helped me a lot. However, I'm not as forgetful when I'm taking Klonopin (currently taking) as when I'm off of it. For an example, on my days off from work, I don't take my Klonopin. This is when I really forget things and I become somewhat disoriented. In fact, as I'm writing this - this is my second day that I have not taken Klonopin at all. I'm feeling disoriented and I'm not writing as well because it seems like I can't express myself. My words get twisted and when people are reading this - they may not follow my thought pattern because without the Klonopin in my system - their is virtually no GABA being produced, therefore, causing me to forget things or me not writing clearly. Hopefully, people that are reading this, can follow my thought patterns.
To summarize, if you do suffer short term memory loss from taking any type of Benzo medication, carry around a small notepad to write down reminders. This will be your "external brain". Also - at least from my experience, if you don't take Benzos every day like me, then you may find yourself forgetting more things than when you are taking the medication. So you maybe best to take your medication every day. However, please do not take my advice until seeing a doctor (I legally have to say this).