I am 80 and have taking klonopin 2 mg. since I was diagnosed at age 44. My doctor has been trying to get me off of it and decreasing my dosage because it is addictive. I told her I didn’t care if it was addictive after all these years, but she cares. So first of this year I started decreasing dosage by 1/2 pill, i am now down to 1 pill. Given that, i can tell you, this year has been miserable for me. I have for 80 years been a leader, I have always been nice to everyone. This year my anxciety has skyrocketed. I lost an old high school friend because I told him that i was not talking with him again because of his political views. Now he and I have been somewhat arguing politics since we were 18. Always friendly. No more. I got upset with my only daughter because she never called or came to see me because she was always working in a very high stress job. mistake 2. Finally I told my sister that I didn’t have a sister because I didn’t even know her, she is 5 years younger than me, and we were never close but that comment was so out of character for me before this year. Anxiety is a bitch and trying to get off meds that are addictive changes your basic personality. It is now a controlled drug and I can’t just arbortratedly, go back on my old dosage. I am very alone, except for my dog, but even she has noticed a change in my temperament. I am open to all suggestions. Thank you. Sherry

I think there's a difference between acknowledging accountability and punishing oneself. In the first case, you're evaluating what part of the stress you are responsible to handle. In the second case, you're blaming yourself for not controlling the situation?

What parts are you responsible for, Damian? How can you get a better handle on those, and accept that the rest is not under your control?