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Gwen Olsen spent fifteen years as a pharmaceutical sales rep working for such health care giants as Johnson & Johnson, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Abbott Laboratories. She enjoyed a successful, fast-paced career until several conscious-altering experiences began awakening her to the dangers lurking in every American medicine cabinet. Her most poignant lessons, however, came as both victim and survivor of life-threatening adverse drug reactions. After leaving pharmaceutical sales in 2000, Gwen worked in the natural foods industry first as an Account Manager for Nature's Way, and then as a Regional Sales Manager for Gaia Herbs. She is currently a writer, speaker, and natural health consultant.
In this video Gwen discusses anxiolytics (anti-anxiety medications). These medications are sometimes also called minor tranquilizers. These drugs include the benzodiazephines such as Valium, Xanax and Ativan. Buspar is also non-benzodiazephine anxiolytic.
These drugs are highly addictive and people experience severe withdrawal symptoms when coming off of these drugs.
Gwen specifically talks about her own Xanax addiction.
She also discusses "rebound syndrome" and "discontinuation syndrome", which are basically just withdrawal symptoms.
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Tags for this video: addiction anxiety ativan disorder gwen health mental ocd olsen psychiatry psychtruth social valium withdrawal Xanax

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Comments for this video on YouTube

After being on ... ( 1 month ago by BarryInMissouri)

After being on Xanax for 8 years I decided to get off of it. I did a 30 dat taper which was not nearly anough time so the withdeaws were extreamly painfull and lasted about 6 months. I still had side effects from the Xanax for another year and a half but not nearly as bad as the first 6 months. If you truly want off of this drug or other Benzo's you could probably do it but you will need the support of your family and working would almost be out of the question. Hopefully you can do it.

Addict of 6 years ... ( 1 month ago by mahpiohazi)

Addict of 6 years per myself and psychiatrist. Currently weaning. Even the weaning is HELL.

been taking xanax ... ( 1 month ago by cubandre21)

been taking xanax for a few years now and am currently trying to taper off of it.. used to be addicted to heavy drugs but havent done them in a couple of years now but the withdrawls from xanax is worse than anything ive been through.. i was able to stop doing coke cold turkey thank god but this is simply impossible with xanax, the withdrawls are just way too intense to work, function, socialize, concentrate, etc.. it was a great miracle pill at the begining but now i regret ever taking it

I have been using, ... ( 1 month ago by fuckyouboob)

I have been using, abusing rather, xanax for about a year and a half. I want to ask you cuz it seems we have been down simialr paths. I've been on everything from heroin to methadone to coke, and kicked them all thank God. Coke is really a mental, with minor physical ticks, while heroin n methadone are surely physical. I am having ahrd time getting off xanax, finding it VERY VERY mental, with small physical withdrawls. I was told by friends that it is 90% mental, and 10, maybe even 5% physical

ran out of space ... ( 1 month ago by fuckyouboob)

ran out of space lol...what is your opinion on it...i can barely go 2 days without wanting to re-dose, but I haven't experienced any real SERIOUS physical shit besides some muscle tension, anxiety of course, light headedness, etc. I am aware that seizures are a possibility, but I have no idea how I'll feel if I am 5 or 7 days off it...I havent been off it for more than 4, mayeb 5 days...any advice you can offer please?

It depends on the ... ( 1 month ago by RayAir1)

It depends on the person. If you are prone to being an alcoholic or drug user than you will probably get hooked on this stuff. I have taken it for 2-3 months and then stopped, no withdrawals.

I miss good old ... ( 3 weeks ago by cycimian)

I miss good old valium 10 mg tabs, It was great for Droping my blood presure. After a while of takeing it i was okay. But these microdosed designer diazapines are freaking insain.

I can relate to ... ( 3 weeks ago by chrisgeden)

I can relate to this. Was put on Xanor (Alprazolam) in South Africa a while ago because of panic attacks. Came back to England and ran out of my medication, so cold turkey kicked in. It's the worst thing I've ever experienced. A good way to get you addicted to Benzodiazapenes and take your money from you. Thankfully the NHS is not as corrupt as the private industry (if at all). Was tapered off of the stuff using Vallium seeing as Xanor/Xanex cannot be obtained in the UK.

xanax works fine ... ( 3 weeks ago by dave00075ie)

xanax works fine for me

Well, There is no ... ( 2 weeks ago by Jeffluvs80s)

Well, There is no cure. Xanax just helps relieve symptoms and thats why people need it.

I'm still on ... ( 2 weeks ago by Jeffluvs80s)

I'm still on Klonopin.LOL

I got to get some ... ( 2 weeks ago by Jeffluvs80s)

I got to get some coffee right now...Its NOT the Coffee.

I was anxious ... ( 2 weeks ago by Jeffluvs80s)

I was anxious without even one drop of caffiene.

I take ativan ... ( 2 weeks ago by vicodin75)

I take ativan sometimes and some say its the same thing as xanax, well I dont see any differnce, the ativan seemed stronger and it just puts me asleep but i dont get any kind of high of it.

I don't either. Get ... ( 2 weeks ago by Jeffluvs80s)

I don't either. Get high that is.

marijuana should be ... ( 2 weeks ago by chaosinesco)

marijuana should be prescribed to these people instead of xanax, since you worked in the pharmaceutical business you know this.

wow, amazing story ... ( 2 weeks ago by beatingaddiction)

wow, amazing story ... we've been creating a community where people can talk just like you are! you seem like you have a lot of information!

the blue shes ... ( 2 weeks ago by lwouldliketoknow)

the blue shes wearing suits her eye colour.

marijuana does not ... ( 2 weeks ago by hostiletakeoverxoxo)

marijuana does not in the least stop panic attacks and anxiety. in fact it increaes your anxiety, which is why its so common for people to get paranoid on the drug. believe me i love pot, i smoke it often, but i have an anxiety disorder and i know when im anxious if i smoke a bowl, i'll be in hell.

what pot are you ... ( 2 weeks ago by chaosinesco)

what pot are you smoking? ill give you that all drugs work differently for different people but in my case its always helped me relax and stay calm. for some people it could make them worse like if you had heavy shizophrenia. Truth is this lady and her department were giving out prescriptions that kill so many people. weed would never do that

hello again doctor ... ( 1 week ago by cyberduhh)

hello again doctor youtube :-) Ive been prescribed 1Mg tablets of lorazapam too treat acute anxiety it helps me a lot calms me without a feeling of being wasted i take 2mg in morning and 3mg in evening and I'm calm throughout the day but boy oh boy id love too have a couple of bourbon whiskeys in the evening too unwind further do u think that is a good idea

beautifully spoken! ( 1 week ago by sivatmin)

beautifully spoken!

for all we know she ... ( 6 days ago by dave00075ie)

for all we know she could be making this up because first of all she said she stopped because she was pregnant then she said it took her 6 months to come off them.and also she should have been put on diazepam for just a little anxiety.

1 year later - How ... ( 2 days ago by laarana)

1 year later - How much was your dosage upped, Jeff?