Katie Balestra Washington Post, takes a look at anti anxiety drugs and their problems Anti-anxiety drugs raise new fears
Benzodiazepines, often prescribed to manage anxiety, panic and sleep disorders, include Xanax, Ativan, Valium and Klonopin. Originally pushed as an alternative to barbiturates, their use has grown rapidly in the past 30 years. But critics say their long-term effects have gone largely unaddressed. Health professionals and consumers are increasingly recognizing that taking the drugs for more than a few weeks can lead to physical dependence, often ending with a grueling withdrawal. link to continue reading
The article highlights how routinely these drugs are prescribed, (in 2008, 85 million prescriptions were filled for the top 20 benzodiazepines) , and how their use has boomed. The article concludes:
Some physicians recommend that people experiencing anxiety and panic attacks exhaust other options before turning to the drugs. According to Jerilyn Ross, the director of the Ross Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders in Washington, cognitive behavioral therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat anxiety and panic disorders; she said it is effective on its own 90 percent of the time.
Source: Washington Post
