Benzodiazepines: Understanding the Risks of Anxiety Meds
Story at-a-glance
- Benzodiazepines (benzos), the go-to treatment for anxiety, cause several issues, especially for the elderly, like cognitive impairment, lightheadedness, poor coordination, and fatigue, all of which increase the risk of accidents and falls
- When used for the correct type of anxiety and combined with other therapeutic interventions, benzodiazepines can greatly help anxiety
- Unfortunately, the fast-paced, insurance-driven healthcare system often leads to rushed 15-minute appointments, preventing doctors from properly evaluating whether benzodiazepines are right for a patient
- As a result, many people who should not be on benzodiazepines end up being put on them for years, if not decades, without proper oversight or treatment of their underlying illness
- One of the biggest problems with benzodiazepines is how quickly they create a physical dependence, leading to widespread addiction. They can also harm fetuses, worsen symptoms like insomnia and anxiety, and, in the worst cases, lead to deadly overdoses, especially when combined with opioids
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