A Mom's Revelation: 'Xanax Makes Me Be a Better Mom'

"Xanax Makes Me Be a Better Mom" was a headline on this month's cover of "Parenting" magazine. The article has created a huge debate across the country and has also generated a massive, mostly critical, response online. J.D. Bailey is a Boston mother of two who was featured in the article and decided to reveal herself for the first time on "Katie."

[AM_Radio]

Klonopin saved my life when all other medications failed. I take it as prescribed daily for the last 15+ years. Never needed a increase in my dose, I don't abuse it and I have no memory issues. Before it I couldn't work, drive a car or do much of anything. I was pretty much disabled. Now I have a full time job that I love, I drive, bought my own home and I'm living a normal, functional life. I know it's notnfor everyone but for some people it's the only thing that. works. I wouldn't be here today typing this if I was never prescribed it.

[ohhellno]

Xanax literally has saved my life more than once. Clonopins made me have a seizure, Ativan made me numb and I just didn't feel like living anymore, .Every mind it's a world on its own. For me it works now if you abuse it that's on you

[mariomoreno]

I take xanax as an emergency pill, other than make me a bit sleepy i can feel my breathing be deeper and i can focus on my thoughts and not be freaking out. People that abuse it give a bad rep for us that take it legitimately unfortunately.

[BensUniverse]

Xanax makes me a happy human who has the newfound ability to navigate life more positively, unlike previous to when I was not taking the medication. #MentalHealth #Facts

[mirammckay]

Used correctly, benzos are a benefit to many people.

[brettcooper]

Been prescribed Xanax off and on, more off, over the last decade. Just got back on it a few weeks ago, and I'm on pretty much the lowest dose possible. All it does is it allows me to breathe and focus better at work.

[johnrose]

People who don’t have anxiety will get a drunk like slurry sleepy high off Xanax, people with anxiety will just feel hyper focused or energized

[wilhelminavonbismarck]

To each their own. If she’s trying she’s doing the best she can. Post pardum depression is *NOTHING* to mess with. Leave her alone, it’s not like she’s just getting high all day an ignoring her responsibilities. Hugs and love to you, Mom, you keep doing what you’re doing ❤️🙏🥰

[youtuba]

The judgment on these comments in unbelievable. She's a responsible adult taking care of her mental health, under medical supervision. I'm guessing none of the people commenting struggle with depression or anxiety. Let me tell you: if my mother had taken better care of her mental health, I'd have had a much more stable childhood and I'd be a more balanced adult. Systemic anxiety can really drain you and make it impossible to complete tasks or even formulate thoughts and ideas. I know that because I absorbed my mother's anxiety and because an extremely anxious person. When you have to take care of small children, you better be functional and alert!! SHE'S BEING RESPONSIBLE and trying not to let her problems not get to her kids.

[cosmicmarco]

No matter what the negative comments say, I'm glad all of those who choose to take a depression medication are responsible enough to seek treatment.

[Bonbonbon]

Xanax makes it so I can live a normal life otherwise I would have to be on social security like my mother her whole life. Very great full I like working and being a normal person

[jhoward_]

xanax has done wonders for me when used correctly

[americafirst]

This medication saved my life. I have succeeded in all aspects of my life as a father, husband, and business owner due to Xanax treatment. Keep in mind. Also, I do not drink alcohol or smoke, cigarettes or tobacco. Use of any kind.

[americafirst]

God Bless her, if the medication is helping her and she is a productive mother than take it. Same people who are criticizing her drink alcohol by the gallon.

[suzannef]

I am so frustrated with the attempt to make Xanax and Klonopin evil...when they make the difference between "I want to live" and ' I am suicidal " clear cut... there's no ambiguity for me

[chris]

I really don't see the problem. I mean couldn't someone also say that we're dependent on food and water? All withdrawal means is that your missing something you need just like food and water. Some people honestly can't function very well without these medicines just like everyone can't function very well without food and water. For people with INTENSE panic disorder it's a life changing drug. And if it shortens my lifespan then so be it, I'd rather live a shorter happy life than a long life where I'm always afraid and trembling non-stop. That's no way to live this short existence in my opinion. I don't forget that we all die someday. Lets not kid ourselves with thinking that living longer will necessarily mean that we will live happier lives. It's a preference really. We all age every second. Eventually me and everyone will be nothing, just a pile of bones and at some further point not even that...just a memory for those who still exist after you're gone...and they too will be gone at some point.

[theangriestoftabbies]

Good luck getting off of it. Zero informed consent for the longterm protected withdrawals. The depression didn’t “creep back in” it was drug withdrawal.

[christineb]

Some people are so dumb its enjoying. Listen, everyone is different, her hormones, and her cells and everything that is her is not going to be exactly the same for others. We all go through our own journey and what works for her may not work exactly the same for you. There is so many different factors that honestly do come to play. This works for her taking Xanax, with her mental condition and hormonal levels maybe all together maybe this was a match. I’m happy for her she found something that was working and helped her. For some people Xanax helps for other don’t. For some cocain is awesome and works and get addicted others don’t feel a shit from it not get addicted from it. Why is that? Well because we all function differently. Different blood types, different hormonial levels, different sensitivity etc. people need to learn to be happy for others then commenting stupid nonsense and shit.

[KasperSōze]

Alprazolam got the bad wrap man. It just did. Now I'm in a position where benzodiazepines are my only working meds.

[beth]

depression isn't just a low mood. Its a chemical imbalance. Sometimes nothing will help except medication.