The experience of benzodiazepine withdrawal /BIND can be a challenging journey, with physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that can be painful, confusing, and frightening. While both men and women share many aspects of withdrawal, there are certain factors that make the process unique for each gender. In this blog post, I will share the differences in how men experience benzodiazepine withdrawal, focusing on hormonal differences, cultural factors, and societal expectations. I will also offer suggestions for coping strategies men can employ during this challenging time.
Hormonal Differences
To begin with, men may have a different reaction to a benzodiazepine. In a 2014 study, it was found that gonadal hormones and trait anxiety might affect sensitivity to the anxiety-reducing effects of diazepam. These differences may be partly due to the distribution of GABA-containing interneurons. From the start, the benzodiazepine experience may be different for men. Let’s take a look at the withdrawal/BIND experience for them.
One of the primary differences in how men and women experience benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND is rooted in their hormonal makeup. Men have high-testosterone levels, which can influence how they experience and respond to withdrawal symptoms. Testosterone has been linked to increased aggression and irritability, which can exacerbate the emotional symptoms of withdrawal. Additionally, testosterone may interact with certain receptors in the brain, potentially altering the severity and duration of withdrawal symptoms in men.
Conversely, women have higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, which can also influence the withdrawal experience. These hormones modulate anxiety and mood, which may result in a different emotional landscape during withdrawal for women compared to men.
Cultural Differences
Cultural factors play a significant role in how men experience benzodiazepine withdrawal. In many societies, men are expected to be stoic and unemotional, often discouraging them from seeking support or openly discussing their feelings. This pressure to maintain a façade of strength can hinder men from accessing valuable resources and support networks during withdrawals.
Furthermore, men may be less likely to seek professional help for their withdrawal symptoms due to the stigma associated with mental health issues in many cultures. This reluctance to seek help can lead to a more challenging withdrawal process, with men potentially enduring greater suffering in silence.
Societal Expectations
Societal expectations of gender roles and behaviors also influence the experience of benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND for men. Men often face pressure to maintain their roles as providers, protectors, and leaders, making it difficult for them to take the necessary time off work or attend to their emotional needs during withdrawal. As a result, men may try to push through the withdrawal process at the expense of their mental and physical health.
Parenting Issues
Benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND may impact mothers’ and fathers’ parenting ability. For men, the impact may undermine their feelings of being responsible for the overall well-being f the “tribe.” Benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND symptoms can cause emotional and physical challenges that can hinder their ability to engage with and care for their children effectively. Withdrawal symptoms such as increased irritability, anxiety, and mood swings may strain the father-child relationship and make it difficult for men to provide emotional support. Furthermore, physical symptoms like fatigue, insomnia, and muscle pain may limit their capacity to participate in activities with their children or fulfill daily parenting responsibilities.
Coping Strategies for Men
Despite the unique challenges that men may face during benzodiazepine withdrawal, several coping strategies cancan help make the experience more manageable:
- Please seek professional help: While it can be challenging to overcome the stigma associated with mental health treatment, seeking professional help from a benzo-wise doctor, therapist, or benzodiazepine coach, can be a crucial step in managing withdrawal symptoms. Benzo-wise medical professionals can offer guidance on tapering schedules and coping with symptoms and provide emotional support throughout the process.
- Build a support network: Finding a support network of friends, family, or peers who have experienced benzodiazepine withdrawal can be invaluable in navigating the challenges of withdrawal. Sharing experiences and feelings with others can help alleviate feelings of isolation and provide encouragement during difficult moments. (I have men in my Heal With Dr. Jenn support group who offer support to one another.)
- Prioritize self-care: It is essential for men to prioritize their physical and emotional well-being during withdrawal. This can include eating well, gentle exercising, and engaging in relaxing activities such as meditation or deep breathing exercises. By prioritizing self-care, men can better manage their withdrawal symptoms and support their overall mental health.
- Challenge societal expectations: Men should feel empowered to challenge societal expectations that hinder their ability to cope with withdrawal. This might involve openly discussing their feelings with loved ones, seeking help when needed, and taking the necessary time to focus on their well-being. By challenging these expectations, men can create an environment that supports their recovery and promotes a healthier withdrawal/BIND experience.
- Educate yourself: Understanding the withdrawal process and its symptoms can be empowering and help reduce anxiety. Men should take the time to educate themselves about benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND, including the timeline, potential symptoms, and coping strategies. Knowledge is power, and being well-informed can help men navigate benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND with greater confidence and resilience.
- Develop healthy coping mechanisms after recovery: Replacing benzodiazepines with healthy coping mechanisms can be an essential part of the recovery. Men should explore new ways of managing stress, such as physical activity, mindfulness practices, or engaging in hobbies and activities that can help them distract. Learning something new is a wonderful way to cope during withdrawal/BIND. (The four cornerstones of well-being are an excellent way to rewire the nervous system for health and happiness.)
- Practice patience and self-compassion: Withdrawal from benzodiazepines can be a long and challenging process. It is crucial for men to practice patience with themselves and recognize that healing takes time. Self-compassion involves acknowledging one’s own struggles and treating oneself with kindness and understanding during difficult moments.
Conclusion
The experience of benzodiazepine withdrawal is unique for each individual, and men face particular challenges due to hormonal differences, cultural factors, and societal expectations. By understanding these differences and employing coping strategies tailored to their unique needs, men can successfully navigate the withdrawal process and work towards a healthier future. It is important to remember that support and resources are available to help men overcome the challenges of benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND and that recovery is the ultimate outcome of the benzodiazepine journey.
Comments Welcomed
Please join in the conversation. Leave a comment and share your thoughts and experiences of how men navigate benzodiazepine withdrawal/BIND. What are your suggestions? Thank you for participating.
Thank you so much Dr. Jenn for this entry and supporting me when I reached out about this.
I reinstated more than once to continue to be the working man, sports dad, and so forth. I have felt so awful when whimpering in sorrow when the medication went toxic on me. I could barely look my wife in the eyes because of so much shame due to the what I considered (pathetic) symptoms.
I have lost muscle mass, physical energy to do man work and emotionally I have felt weak and lost. It has led me to very dark thoughts and worthlessness.
At first, when I didn’t know what was happening, I became impulsive, had temper tantrums (manly ones if I could muster) and was probably quite scary. Only through education, therapy and acceptance have I learned to nearly eliminate all of that.
Men are at high risk when uneducated, unsupported and in the dark when initially battling BIND and benzo withdrawal. We need to lower our risk.
Thank you so much again for this post and considering this issue.
Chasdan
Thank you for sharing your experience. Shame is a big factor, which I didn’t mention in the post. Glad you did. Appreciate your comment. Hopefully, more men will add their voices here. Keep healing!
I cannot stress enough how much the compulsion to be a provider and protector challenged my recovery. I pushed myself way too hard just to pretend like nothing was wrong and suffered setback after setback. With my younger children, I was constantly fighting fatigue and pain simply to appear like a normal dad, and it was unhealthy. In the long run, self-care is the most healthy way out. It requires some really uncomfortable conversations with spouses, children, and coworkers at first, but it will be worth it.
Thank you for adding your thoughts to the conversation. It’s good for other fathers going through BWD/BIND to know that it is okay to practice self-care and not push through things. I hope you are doing well!
I’m guessing I’m one of the lucky ones going through benzo withdrawal. A roof over my head, food to eat, clothes, etc… my gratitude for this I can’t put into words! After a break up many years ago I decided to move back into my dad’s and that where I been ever since. I didn’t want anymore heartache and decided I will concentrate on myself for once. I lost a lot and became withdrawn kept myself to myself just went to work and that was it. Gave up all my hobbies etc.. I lost contact with most of my friends. Then one day I began to wonder this isn’t how a forty plus man should be living, I should be living a life to the full. But during all that time I was taking a drug as prescribed for 14 years for anxiety and panic disorder.Then I began to think more about it and started researching the drug I was taking. Then the penny dropped!! I was feeling awful daily, increased anxiety and panic plus depression and other issues! I thought why am I taking a drug that suppose to be making feel better not worse then I realised I was in tolerance withdrawal. So without knowing it this drug as took the life out of me, I’m sure. A very long story short, my tapering journey started and boy it’s been one hell ride, that’s for sure. I’m a year in and I’ve learned a lot. So being manly and just bulldozing my way through each day for many years probably. I ignored these symptoms. We should be very aware and act as soon as possible and forget the stigma. In time with plenty of patience hopefully I can get back the real me. All the best. Regards Paul
“Please seek professional help”
With who?
90% or more of these professionals don’t know ANYTHING about benzo withdrawal and panic attacks – they just read some Wikipedia and regurgitate it
True, most don’t. So we seek out those who do. And we can always work with alternative providers like massage therapists that help us calm our nervous system.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I wish you the best on your healing journey. You are learning and growing, and that is a wonderful thing!
Two weeks into my taper, I lost my job. My ensuing withdrawal, followed by BIND, has been extremely severe. I applied for disability and was denied. I appealed that decision, appeared before a judge, and was finally approved. My disability income is much less than my previous income; however, it’s a welcome relief which allows me time to heal. Men, if your symptoms are so severe you’ve been let go from your job, I encourage you to apply for disability. You just might get approved, and it will take some pressure off until you recover. (Note that Social Security does not recognize benzo withdrawal. You will have to apply based on your symptoms; do not frame your case around “benzodiazepine withdrawal”. I strongly recommend using a disability attorney to help you make your case.)
Good advice! Thank you for adding to the conversation. Much appreciated.