I only took SSRIs, but the digestive issues they also cause are insane. I also think withdrawal and that chronic state of fight or flight (with diagnosed elevated cortisol) pumping for years absolutely wrecks the digestive system too so double whammy 😵💫I haven’t had a normal appetite or been able to leave the underweight category in over 2 years. It is by far the most stubborn issue that just won’t improve. The metal element of seeing your appearance change so drastically is insane. Not to mention the fear and almost ptsd it can cause where you fear your appetite will go to 0 again and the starving will come back. Just such an awful experience and it doesn’t help when everyone around you makes stupid comments about your appearance. “Just eat a cheeseburger and gain some weight” 🙄
Yep benzo withdrawal/stress can do many things to your appearance. I am finally in a place where I can exercise daily. At some point we have to get after it or keep lying in bed and rotting away. I will not let benzos/trauma control me anymore. It's ok if you can't get after it yet but once you feel you can go after it. Find your passion again Much love Bob
@@matthewrobinson2242 I will be two years end of June this year. It took about a year to start getting myself back but still many up/downs. Currently I feel like I am breaking through, exercising, working and building my life back it takes time.
Almost three years later after my SSRI withdrawal started the drug induced fake reality that I clung to desperately finally collapsed under the weight of the true reality, then I started not eating well, loosing a lot of hair, I stopped going outside, my skin aged very quickly, I lost a lot of muscle and I started looking much older than before, all because of the crazy amount of stress, I was running away from that stress as long as I could until I couldn't no more. It has been crazy. I'm 27, 28 in a couple of months, and I hope to recover a bit.
Thank you Dan! This needs to be addressed because it does take a toll on our appearance. Like you, but as a woman, my hair, skin, eyes, nails and even my posture has been affected. At close to 6 months off, I’m noticing improvements, thank goodness. Yes your videos are so helpful and much appreciated.
@@sarahmkate84 I took 1mg of Klonopin for 30 years as prescribed. Tapered for 18 months. I had all the symptoms there are that goes along coming off. Hardest thing ever!
So glad Dan you are talking about this!! I don’t want anyone to see me I look like scragley old dried up tumble weed! So glad you are feeling so much better. You’re such a blessing to us.
The hair loss for me is terrible! I always had such beautiful naturally curly hair. It's all gone. Gone. All I have is a thin frizzy mess. So depressing.
I do ALL I can to stay fit as possible. I am tapering very slowly, so I CAN exercise. Some days I can only do gentle yoga, and other days I can do my kettle bell workouts. I do not heavy lift like I was. I’m taking tons of micronutrients, no coffee, low sugar, good fats, high protein. I’m still unable to lose weight. I’ve gained 40lbs!! I have red itchy skin. My hair is thin, nails break. I often get DR/DP that makes me look weird in the mirror. My eyes hurt. It is so true. All of this. So, thank you for this. It absolutely is another layer of the hell we go through.
So I’m not crazy and my appearance HAS changed! I was just thinking this to myself today that I look different! Like stressed out different! Skin very very dry! Especially my face. I cut my hair completely off and it’s growing back a different texture and as I brush it it just falls out! My eyes are sucken in horribly and I have dark circles! The DPDR is so bad I don’t know what to do! I’m 9 months off K and hope to GOD I get better!
Congrats on being off k! That’s no easy feat, that’s for damn sure. I’m sorry you’re dealing with the fallout. It was a long road of recovery for me too but as the nervous system heals you’ll look like your normal self again. Just look at the before after pic of me!
My look has changed dramatically. I am old now. My beard now grows in a craggly fashion. I ache all the time. I look ridiculous too. As if I'm trying to be remain relevant as I was. That has to change. I now just basically hide. My eyesight has gone to sh*t. Even glasses don't really help. My clothes look ridiculous and they used to look pretty good. My skin is ancient. Dry like the desert as if it's going to split. I have benzo belly as well. Benzo belly acts in a fashion where you eat too much because your desire to eat is amped yet your ability to digest more food is diminished. I too looked terrible when I was on the drugs. Bags under the eyes especially. I am basically wrecked as well.
7 months off… my hair falls out and has become frizzy and feels like dry straw for the past 2 years. Hoping it starts to improve. Muscles have also disappeared.
Thank you for speaking about this issue. The rapid aging and appearance changes have taken a toll on me psychologically. This video gives a lot of reassurance that i will get my old self back! You look great by the way :)
He does look great. I told a true friend who is across the country from me now that I've aged 10 years in less than 10 months. It's downright scary. Waiting on a medical issue to rear its head. Something crazy like cancer.
@@jimferrill1790 im sorry you're going through this It must be brutal going through withdrawal and another health crisis at the same time... i acutually had cancer myself but it was before psych med withdrawal
OMGoodness this is so true. Really appreciate the kind words ❤ Paula. San Diego Dan can you try explain the Brain rewiring / connecting in some way. In a video? Want to do another session. Last time I was nervous and talk too much. Lolol. 😮
It's a very pertinent subject Dan. I've had a benzo belly for 4 years and in fact my whole body is thin because I'm very careful with my diet but I have a big belly. I think it could also be due to the severe fatigue I'm having present in my body, the muscles don't hold back and the belly drops, the abdomen drops, the underdeveloped abdominals also don't help. Without a doubt, your videos help me a lot. A big Hug for Lisbon/Portugal
How long did it last? This is exactly what I’m dealing with. And I can’t sleep or work or exercise. It’s been 18 months. I have insane looping intrusive thoughts when I attempt to rest or calm or relax. I simply can’t calm down. Muscle wasting, bad skin, hair dead and receeded and falling out constantly.
I don’t know how much did you take or for how long but I promise it gets better. I’m still tapering but something’s are better. Im dealing with benzo belly and some days are horrible but it’s not all day everyday now. But you will get better and I know it takes so much time but you’ll get there
I have no windows. 18 months of pure balls to the wall hell. Mental physical. Total loss of self. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m disable and I was just fine before the cold turkey. It’s been so much worse since month 12.
I am 6 months off xanax now. Lost so much weight and muscle mass. I look so aged , my face is full of wrinkles. I believe as you say, that it will all improve with time, but the main worry and scary thing is that I feel that I look mentally unstable, and horrible. When I look in the mirror, I can't connect myself to my inner self. Maybe it's dpdr type. Will it all improve? I am so much scared.
Yes, it will improve. I'm 3 years off Klonopin now and I look so much better, like my old self. We do heal mentally and physically but it just takes time. ❤️ Hang in there!
@@JenErin29I just saw this older post. Dealing with this now. I’ve aged 10 years in 3 months and I’m scared to death that the wrinkles, skin and muscle mass issues won’t ever go away😰Thanks so much for your post😇
Thak you, I ' m from Spain, and i have benzo ' s belly, now my reduction of valium is very slowly because two time i had my reduction very quickly and i had at psicosis episody. Now i 'm better but my benzo ' s belly i don ' t like, alter my boda Washington very beautifull. Well thank you for your interview on benzo' s warriers and for your Channel. Sorry for my english.
You look great! I tried SSRI tapper (misadvised by a naturopath who did it way too quickly) and I feel like I aged 10 years overnight from the withdrawal. I am back on the meds but still look really puffy and weird.
I know I’ve asked this but have you done holistic treatment for all 3 types of sibo and sifo? Hydrogen sulphide H2S will always test as a negative for sibo. Sifo does the same as sibo. They’re different treatments though.
I feel for the ladies if anything like me. I can’t wear make up my hair is falling out and doesn’t even feel like hair! Skin also is so dry and has rashes all over. In other words I feel like Job in the Bible! I’m plagued by things you can’t imagine. Plus I have chronic itching skin and scalp. All with the wonderful Hugh benzo belly. Ugh. Thanks again Dan I really needed to know I wasn’t alone. ❤
You definitely aren’t alone. I came onto this channel after this video post but I’m so glad it’s here. Your story is just like mine. My husband says that we are just getting older. I knew it wasn’t true but couldn’t figure it out until now. My biggest question is whether or not all of this can be reversed🥴
One year off today!! It does get better!! ❤️
Congratulations!!
I only took SSRIs, but the digestive issues they also cause are insane. I also think withdrawal and that chronic state of fight or flight (with diagnosed elevated cortisol) pumping for years absolutely wrecks the digestive system too so double whammy 😵💫I haven’t had a normal appetite or been able to leave the underweight category in over 2 years. It is by far the most stubborn issue that just won’t improve. The metal element of seeing your appearance change so drastically is insane. Not to mention the fear and almost ptsd it can cause where you fear your appetite will go to 0 again and the starving will come back. Just such an awful experience and it doesn’t help when everyone around you makes stupid comments about your appearance. “Just eat a cheeseburger and gain some weight” 🙄
Doubled my body weight from 200 to 400 lbs… I rarely leave the house now… running out of money and need to find a job soon…
I’m sorry Michael. It’s so hard. You raise a good issue too- a lot of people gain weight as opposed to lose it.
Yep benzo withdrawal/stress can do many things to your appearance. I am finally in a place where I can exercise daily. At some point we have to get after it or keep lying in bed and rotting away. I will not let benzos/trauma control me anymore. It's ok if you can't get after it yet but once you feel you can go after it.
Find your passion
again
Much love Bob
How long did it take you Bob?
@@matthewrobinson2242 I will be two years end of June this year. It took about a year to start getting myself back but still many up/downs. Currently I feel like I am breaking through, exercising, working and building my life back it takes time.
💪🏻🙌🏻
Almost three years later after my SSRI withdrawal started the drug induced fake reality that I clung to desperately finally collapsed under the weight of the true reality, then I started not eating well, loosing a lot of hair, I stopped going outside, my skin aged very quickly, I lost a lot of muscle and I started looking much older than before, all because of the crazy amount of stress, I was running away from that stress as long as I could until I couldn't no more. It has been crazy. I'm 27, 28 in a couple of months, and I hope to recover a bit.
You will get better. Keep going! ❤️🩹
4 months in psychiatric ward, gained 30 kilos...medicated antipsychotis against the will
I’m sos sorry this happened to you. It’s criminal.
In Spain is the same criminal procedure. I ' so sorry.
Thank you Dan! This needs to be addressed because it does take a toll on our appearance. Like you, but as a woman, my hair, skin, eyes, nails and even my posture has been affected. At close to 6 months off, I’m noticing improvements, thank goodness. Yes your videos are so helpful and much appreciated.
I'm so sorry. I feel this 🫂😭
My posture was horrible too! I was always hunched over with anxiety.
@@philosophicalfishingi m 1103days off mild dp dr left when i feel normal.ur dp dr gone now
Glad you are starting to improve. What did you come off? What symptoms did you have
@@sarahmkate84 I took 1mg of Klonopin for 30 years as prescribed. Tapered for 18 months. I had all the symptoms there are that goes along coming off. Hardest thing ever!
I can also validate all of this. My appearance came back full circle after I got through withdrawals. Great video on the truths.
Thanks Jenny! Glad your appearances came back too.
It's good to hear this ,I feel like I have aged over these past few months going thru WD. Bad skin,hair 😢
It’s difficult when family and friends don’t understand what we’re going through and expect us to get on with life like everyone else.
@@TartanArmy85 yes it truly is terrible. This is not something we have any control over
I'm hanging on by a thread today I feel so beat up. THank you
So glad Dan you are talking about this!! I don’t want anyone to see me I look like scragley old dried up tumble weed! So glad you are feeling so much better. You’re such a blessing to us.
I was also a tumble weed! Haha. It comes back thankfully
@@philosophicalfishing hahaha!!! 😂 thank you🙏
The hair loss for me is terrible! I always had such beautiful naturally curly hair. It's all gone. Gone. All I have is a thin frizzy mess. So depressing.
My hair and beard went almost 30-40% grey in a few months
Same.
I do ALL I can to stay fit as possible. I am tapering very slowly, so I CAN exercise. Some days I can only do gentle yoga, and other days I can do my kettle bell workouts. I do not heavy lift like I was. I’m taking tons of micronutrients, no coffee, low sugar, good fats, high protein. I’m still unable to lose weight. I’ve gained 40lbs!! I have red itchy skin. My hair is thin, nails break. I often get DR/DP that makes me look weird in the mirror. My eyes hurt. It is so true. All of this. So, thank you for this. It absolutely is another layer of the hell we go through.
So I’m not crazy and my appearance HAS changed! I was just thinking this to myself today that I look different! Like stressed out different! Skin very very dry! Especially my face. I cut my hair completely off and it’s growing back a different texture and as I brush it it just falls out! My eyes are sucken in horribly and I have dark circles! The DPDR is so bad I don’t know what to do! I’m 9 months off K and hope to GOD I get better!
Congrats on being off k! That’s no easy feat, that’s for damn sure. I’m sorry you’re dealing with the fallout. It was a long road of recovery for me too but as the nervous system heals you’ll look like your normal self again. Just look at the before after pic of me!
Skin is Extremely dry, aged a lot.
My look has changed dramatically. I am old now. My beard now grows in a craggly fashion. I ache all the time. I look ridiculous too. As if I'm trying to be remain relevant as I was. That has to change. I now just basically hide. My eyesight has gone to sh*t. Even glasses don't really help. My clothes look ridiculous and they used to look pretty good. My skin is ancient. Dry like the desert as if it's going to split. I have benzo belly as well.
Benzo belly acts in a fashion where you eat too much because your desire to eat is amped yet your ability to digest more food is diminished.
I too looked terrible when I was on the drugs. Bags under the eyes especially.
I am basically wrecked as well.
Desire to eat is up and digestion is down- that’s a great way to describe it. Sorry you know what it’s like too.
Happy for you getting better x
So good to talk about this. I found it so upsetting. It was all I could think about.
7 months off… my hair falls out and has become frizzy and feels like dry straw for the past 2 years. Hoping it starts to improve. Muscles have also disappeared.
Thank you for speaking about this issue. The rapid aging and appearance changes have taken a toll on me psychologically. This video gives a lot of reassurance that i will get my old self back! You look great by the way :)
He does look great. I told a true friend who is across the country from me now that I've aged 10 years in less than 10 months. It's downright scary. Waiting on a medical issue to rear its head. Something crazy like cancer.
Thank you! It’s taken time to get here but I believe we all will.
@@jimferrill1790 im sorry you're going through this It must be brutal going through withdrawal and another health crisis at the same time... i acutually had cancer myself but it was before psych med withdrawal
OMGoodness this is so true. Really appreciate the kind words ❤ Paula. San Diego Dan can you try explain the Brain rewiring / connecting in some way. In a video? Want to do another session. Last time I was nervous and talk too much. Lolol. 😮
Paula, I’d love to talk again sometime. And that’s a great idea for a video!
It's a very pertinent subject Dan. I've had a benzo belly for 4 years and in fact my whole body is thin because I'm very careful with my diet but I have a big belly. I think it could also be due to the severe fatigue I'm having present in my body, the muscles don't hold back and the belly drops, the abdomen drops, the underdeveloped abdominals also don't help. Without a doubt, your videos help me a lot. A big Hug for Lisbon/Portugal
How long did it last? This is exactly what I’m dealing with. And I can’t sleep or work or exercise. It’s been 18 months. I have insane looping intrusive thoughts when I attempt to rest or calm or relax. I simply can’t calm down. Muscle wasting, bad skin, hair dead and receeded and falling out constantly.
I don’t know how much did you take or for how long but I promise it gets better. I’m still tapering but something’s are better. Im dealing with benzo belly and some days are horrible but it’s not all day everyday now. But you will get better and I know it takes so much time but you’ll get there
I started to see a lot of improvement by the end of the first year and then it was just very slowly after that.
I have no windows. 18 months of pure balls to the wall hell. Mental physical. Total loss of self. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m disable and I was just fine before the cold turkey. It’s been so much worse since month 12.
I wonder if these things will reverse themselves. I have the same issues going on….Thanks for sharing!
My skin isn't dry but it feels like rubber. My eyes tear constantly. I'm a mess.
I’m sorry. I know that feeling
I am 6 months off xanax now. Lost so much weight and muscle mass. I look so aged , my face is full of wrinkles. I believe as you say, that it will all improve with time, but the main worry and scary thing is that I feel that I look mentally unstable, and horrible.
When I look in the mirror, I can't connect myself to my inner self. Maybe it's dpdr type.
Will it all improve? I am so much scared.
Yes, it will improve. I'm 3 years off Klonopin now and I look so much better, like my old self. We do heal mentally and physically but it just takes time. ❤️ Hang in there!
@@JenErin29good to hear. I'm nearly 2 years off Klonopin and it's been rough. Definitely aged me!
@@JenErin29I just saw this older post. Dealing with this now. I’ve aged 10 years in 3 months and I’m scared to death that the wrinkles, skin and muscle mass issues won’t ever go away😰Thanks so much for your post😇
I felt like I aged so much as well! But, you will heal. Patience is key here but easier said than done some days! You got this
Thats how I feel it's awful. My hair loss weight when when I feel real again it's 29 months sorry I know noone can say
I know and it sucks so bad. As the nervous system heals it will come back.
Thank you for posting this 😊
I look 40 years older and ill
It takes such a toll.
@@philosophicalfishing Yeah; these pills are devastating. And I *am* ill thanks to them 😭😞
Benzo belly muscle waste hair loss AND dental problems oh and I look 10 years older too.
Is it worth it? Absolutely.
Same here. I just have to wonder if any of these things will reverse themselves as the body heals🤔
@RobinBray-wh4jg yes they do- my body has healed a lot .
Looking good
✌🏻❤️
Thak you, I ' m from Spain, and i have benzo ' s belly, now my reduction of valium is very slowly because two time i had my reduction very quickly and i had at psicosis episody. Now i 'm better but my benzo ' s belly i don ' t like, alter my boda Washington very beautifull. Well thank you for your interview on benzo' s warriers and for your Channel. Sorry for my english.
You look great! I tried SSRI tapper (misadvised by a naturopath who did it way too quickly) and I feel like I aged 10 years overnight from the withdrawal. I am back on the meds but still look really puffy and weird.
I’m sorry, I know it’s hard to see yourself in the mirror looking so aged. I remember thinking this too. I look younger today than I did 8 years ago.
I know I’ve asked this but have you done holistic treatment for all 3 types of sibo and sifo? Hydrogen sulphide H2S will always test as a negative for sibo. Sifo does the same as sibo. They’re different treatments though.
I have not. I got tested for h pylori and was negative.
Two months off and teeth are dissolving dentist said doesn't know
I feel for the ladies if anything like me. I can’t wear make up my hair is falling out and doesn’t even feel like hair! Skin also is so dry and has rashes all over. In other words I feel like Job in the Bible! I’m plagued by things you can’t imagine. Plus I have chronic itching skin and scalp. All with the wonderful Hugh benzo belly. Ugh. Thanks again Dan I really needed to know I wasn’t alone. ❤
You definitely aren’t alone. I came onto this channel after this video post but I’m so glad it’s here. Your story is just like mine. My husband says that we are just getting older. I knew it wasn’t true but couldn’t figure it out until now. My biggest question is whether or not all of this can be reversed🥴
❤
Benzo belly --- fkng awful. Did you have akethesia flare up right after eating?
Yes! Everytime
@@philosophicalfishing yeah man. Ok. Thanks. 3.3 yrs and still "compromised" to a great degree.
Can i see your benzo belly
Do you really think our looks come back? 🥹🥹 I'm terrified of aging prematurely ☹️☹️☹️