Valium is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety and depression. Benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for patients with severe forms of anxiety, including panic disorder. The drug is also used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, as well as muscle spasms and seizures.
Although Valium is effective in treating many conditions, it can have serious side effects if taken incorrectly or for too long. Also known as diazepam, Valium works by affecting chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters that are involved in regulating moods. It is also known to increase the body’s production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps reduce anxiety by slowing down nerve activity in the brain.
Valium is not considered a controlled substance under federal law, but it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under California law and other states may classify it differently.
Side Effects
The most common side effect of valium is drowsiness. Other side effects include dizziness and lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, weakness (especially in older adults), slowed reflexes and impaired memory (again especially in older adults), blurred vision or double vision (although this is rare), dry mouth (also rare), sleep problems (including insomnia) and constipation (which may be helped by taking stool softeners).
Valium can also cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it suddenly or cut down on your dosage too quickly: nausea; sweating; tremors; muscle twitching; irritability; anxiety; depression; confusion; trouble sleeping (insomnia); hallucinations, etc.
Can Valium cause depression?
Valium is a benzodiazepine, commonly prescribed for anxiety and other mental health issues. It’s a depressant that can also act as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant. Valium was originally released as a pill in 1963 and came to be known as “mother’s little helper” because it was so popular with housewives who were stressed out from running their households.
However, long-term use of the drug has been associated with depression, especially among seniors. The elderly are more susceptible to side effects like memory loss and confusion when they take benzodiazepines like Valium because they have lower levels of enzymes that metabolize the drug. They also tend to have more health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease than younger people do—which means that they could be at risk for developing further complications if they develop depression while taking Valium.
Other drugs are available that are safer than benzodiazepines when used over time; these include beta blockers and antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
How Does Valium Cause Depression?
The way that valium works in your brain can cause you to have feelings of depression when you take it. This happens because valium blocks the action of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain. When you take valium, it slows down communication between neurons by blocking GABA receptors and increasing activity at glutamate receptors on nerve cells. This changes the balance of excitation and inhibition within your brain, making it harder for you to get excited or sad about things (since you’re already so relaxed).
Valium is a benzodiazepine that is used to treat anxiety and depression. Benzodiazepines are generally prescribed for patients with severe forms of anxiety, including panic disorder. The drug is also used to treat insomnia and other sleep disorders, as well as muscle spasms and seizures.
Although Valium is effective in treating anxiety and many conditions, it can have serious side effects if taken incorrectly or for too long. Also known as diazepam, Valium works by affecting chemical messengers in the brain called neurotransmitters that are involved in regulating moods. It is also known to increase the body’s production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which helps reduce anxiety by slowing down nerve activity in the brain.
Valium is not considered a controlled substance under federal law, but it is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance under California law and other states may classify it differently.
Side Effects
The most common side effect of valium is drowsiness. Other side effects include dizziness and lightheadedness, difficulty concentrating, confusion, weakness (especially in older adults), slowed reflexes and impaired memory (again especially in older adults), blurred vision or double vision (although this is rare), dry mouth (also rare), sleep problems (including insomnia) and constipation (which may be helped by taking stool softeners).
Valium can also cause withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it suddenly or cut down on your dosage too quickly: nausea; sweating; tremors; muscle twitching; irritability; anxiety; depression; confusion; trouble sleeping (insomnia); hallucinations, etc.
Can Valium cause depression?
Valium is a benzodiazepine, commonly prescribed for anxiety and other mental health issues. It’s a depressant that can also act as a sedative, muscle relaxant, and anticonvulsant. Valium was originally released as a pill in 1963 and came to be known as “mother’s little helper” because it was so popular with housewives who were stressed out from running their households.
However, long-term use of the drug has been associated with depression, especially among seniors. The elderly are more susceptible to side effects like memory loss and confusion when they take benzodiazepines like Valium because they have lower levels of enzymes that metabolize the drug. They also tend to have more health problems such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease than younger people do—which means that they could be at risk for developing further complications if they develop depression while taking Valium.
Other drugs are available that are safer than benzodiazepines when used over time; these include beta blockers and antidepressants like tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
How Does Valium Cause Depression?
The way that valium works in your brain can cause you to have feelings of depression when you take it. This happens because valium blocks the action of glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter in your brain. When you take valium, it slows down communication between neurons by blocking GABA receptors and increasing activity at glutamate receptors on nerve cells. This changes the balance of excitation and inhibition within your brain, making it harder for you to get excited or sad about things (since you’re already so relaxed).