Long Term Clonazepam use and cognitive function decline
Hey all, I’m new to this sub but I figured this would be a good place to ask questions to other people experienced in benzodiazepine usage and the effects of them long term. I’ve been taking clonazepam for almost 5 years now, originally just .5mg/day, but ramped all the way up to 1mg 3x/day about 12 months ago, as I’ve been switching through antidepressants to try and find a good pharmaceutical and therapeutic solution to my severe OCD, GAD, and Panic Disorder. I definitely feel as though the dosage I’m taking has harmed me in terms of cognitive function. I’m not as quick as I used to be, I’m more forgetful, and I don’t feel as smart as I did before the drug, and it has become a vicious cycle of my OCD obsessing over my brain getting worse and worrying about the long term consequences. I’m planning to taper down as soon as I can get stable on my newest antidepressant. Will I always feel this way in terms of cognition? Or did any of you find that as you got off of your benzodiazepines, your memory and cognitive function improved? I don’t want to feel slowed – like I do now – for the rest of my life, and it’s just a very upsetting prospect to think about for me. I would love to hear your stories and results! Thanks