Being on benzodiazepines/medicated in school?

Hi everyone, thanks in advance if you read all of this!

I’m really worried about the stress of dh school coming up this fall. I’m 32 now but was diagnosed with panic disorder at age 8. I’ve had panic attacks since that age. I function through it but I’m on quite a few medications. I’ve been on said meds for ~10 years

I’m on: propranolol, 20mg, mirtazapine (night) 15mg, lamictal 50mg, and most importantly Valium 12.5mg. In the last few years, I’ve had to take up to 2mg PRN klonopin for plane trips since I’m phobic.

My psychiatrist and therapist are not concerned about my performance as a hygienist on these meds because I have a tolerance.

But I’m worried that the benzodiazepines will affect my performance… I would never sacrifice patient safety. Again, my doctor isn’t concerned. I’ve never truly hurt a patient as a dental assistant (my current job). I rock climb competitively and embroider in my free time so I know I have the dexterity. If anything sometimes my gross spatial awareness can be slightly off (ex: I drop things when in a rush)

For the last year I’ve been a dental assistant and what I like is: organizing and setting up, working one on one with patients (ex making temp crowns and scanning), and trying to think with a patient about how to solve a problem (ex: your implant hurts because you have a food trap)

What makes me VERY overstimulated sometimes is sitting chairside and having to run and grab things and feel like I’m letting down the doctor if I can’t anticipate their next move. I have panic attacks chairside once or twice a week. I work through them and they go away

But are there any hygienists out there on a lot of meds, especially on benzos?

Posted Jun 6, 2026, 9:36 PM UTC

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