Benzodiazepines may be an effective short-term treatment for people with severe anxiety. However, these drugs do carry a significant risk of dependency.
Benzodiazepines are tranquilizer drugs that are used as treatment for a number of conditions, including severe anxiety. Anxiety symptoms may include the following:
Feeling worried or uneasy
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling easily irritated
Feeling tired
Difficulty sleeping
Feeling unreal and out of control (depersonalization)
Feeling detached from surroundings (derealization)
Irregular or rapid heart beat (palpitations)
Pain/tightness in the chest
Feeling dizzy and/or faint
Diarrhoea
Heavy breathing
Muscle tension
Feeling shaky
Difficulty swallowing
Types of Benzodiazepines
There are two types – anxiolytics, the type usually used to treat anxiety, and hypnotics, which are mainly used for treating sleep problems. These drugs are usually prescribed for no more than one month, due to the risk of dependency.
Examples of anxiolytics include diazepam, alprazolam, bromazepam, chlordiazepoxide, chlorazepate, lorazepam and oxazepam. Hypnotics include: flunitrazepam, flurazepam, loprazolam, nitrazepam and temazepam.
How Benzodiazepines Reduce Anxiety
Benzodiazepines work quickly and are very effective at alleviating symptoms. They increase the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). GABA is a neurotransmitter responsible for slowing down brain activity, in turn reducing symptoms of anxiety.
Benzodiazepines may be useful while waiting for other treatments to take effect. Cognitive behavioral therapy and antidepressants are examples of helpful treatments for anxiety that may take several weeks to start working.
Benzodiazepine Interactions and Side-Effects
Those prescribed benzodiazepines should read the patient information leaflet provided with their medication, as this will include a comprehensive list of interactions and side-effects. Benzodiazepines can be taken safely with some medications but may interact with others. When taken with alcohol, the effects of benzodiazepines are increased and can be fatal.
Benzodiazepines may cause unwanted effects, including:
Confusion
Drowsiness
Memory loss
Light-headedness
Aggression
Loss of balance
Dependency
Benzodiazepines are not recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding as they can be harmful to the baby.
Benzodiazepines and Dependency
Benzodiazepines can be physically and psychological addictive, hence usually only being prescribed in the short term. When people stop taking benzodiazepines, they may experience withdrawal symptoms. Their anxiety will usually return quickly, sometimes worse than before they commenced the drug. Other symptoms include:
Confusion
Ringing in the ears
Insomnia
Shaking
Sweating
Appetite changes
Weight loss
Sometimes benzodiazepines are prescribed for longer, such as when the symptoms of anxiety are otherwise unmanageable. They are also prescribed to people who have been taking them for a long time, and/or who have experienced unpleasant long-term withdrawal symptoms when trying to reduce them.
Benzodiazepines and Research
Although benzodiazepines are proven to work and are known to be addictive, there is much to be understood about them. The majority of studies have examined short-term use of these drugs, and there is contention over whether or not long-term withdrawal symptoms are actually symptoms of an underlying disorder.
For more information about anxiety, read Five Types of Anxiety Disorders, which explores the main anxiety disorders and treatment options. Those who think they may need help with anxiety should contact a qualified health practitioner.
Sources
Benzodiazepines and anxiety disorders: a review for the practicing physician, Current Medical Research and Opinion, published: June 2005, author: Kaplan, M et al
Benzodiazepines, BMJ Best Treatments, accessed: 27th June 2008, no author specified
The copyright of the article Benzodiazepines for Anxiety in Phobias/Anxiety is owned by Barbara Melville. Permission to republish Benzodiazepines for Anxiety in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Benzodiazepines may prescribed to people who have been taking them for a long re bore both effective, not just for people who have experienced unpleasant long-term withdrawal. Even with other treatments some off us truly need them to have any quality of life not because we are addicted. Addiction and dependence are totally different conditions seems to be stating that anyone using these medications are drug addicts does not take in to account that when used correctly these drugs are reliable and safe and many of the side effects go away in time. I know for a fact that they are used in long term situations. Drugs like Klonopin that have long half lives are often used to not just stop an anxiety attack by treating the symptoms but there is both research and anecdotal evidence that patients taking them on a regular basis like twice a day had fewer Anxiety attacks overall
Jul 14, 2008 3:51 AM
Barbara Melville :
Thank you for an interesting comment. I wasn't sure if it was intended as a correction, for this article acknowledges that these drugs are prescribed in the long-term for anxiety management, not just in the case of withdrawal. However, there is little evidence on long-term use so it cannot be said for sure that their use, in that context, is reliable and safe. We simply don’t know.
Many sources note that medical dependence, addiction, withdrawal and tolerance have different meanings, yet they are still misused. This is frustrating. I do not feel that this article falls into that category, however, I will review the section on dependence to ensure its clarity. I think the differences between addiction and dependency may make for another article. It’s an important area and I’m glad you have brought it to my attention. :)
I will look into those clonazepam studies. You might find the sources of this article interesting. I also have further supporting sources and a bibliography for this piece, if there are any specific points you are interested in or would like backed up.
Jul 18, 2008 12:41 PM
Barbara Melville :
I have reviewed this article and at this stage, I am satisfied that it is accurate and unbiased. I have checked my sources and asked a number of people to give their views on the article. I have also made you aware of further sources, and offered to provide them.
Your comments have words missing so it is a little difficult to understand your concerns. My apologies if I have misunderstood. I have examined what appear to be your concerns one by one:
1) This article clearly acknowledges that benzodiazepines are used in long-term anxiety management.
2) The article cannot state that these drugs are reliable and safe in long-term use. Currently, there isn’t enough evidence to support this claim.
3) At no point does the article imply that people taking benzodiazepines in the long-term are “drug addicts”. Although these terms can be confusing, articles cannot explain every term and their connotations. As mentioned in my previous comment, however, I recognise that this area may be worth exploring for another article. It would then be linked to this one as a source of further reading.
4) The side-effects section is general, in keeping with the article. It refers the reader to the patient information leaflet, and does not imply that side-effects are permanent. Again, exploring this area in depth may be an idea for another article (possibly several).
If you still have concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. If you do so, please provide citations for evidence. In the meantime, I thank you again for your comments and wish you the best of health.
