Posted by hiba on August 29, 2002, at 2:59:05
In reply to Re: Psychiatry and prescribing fads » Squiggles, posted by alan on August 29, 2002, at 0:20:06
Hello Everyone,
I have read many articles on the net emphasizing the point, benzodiazepines only mask the symptoms of anxiety while antidepressants cure them by correcting the chemical imbalance in brain. But when it is universally agreed that none of those medicines in psychiatric practice really cure or eradicate an illness, I don't understand why this kind of false claim still exists and survives.
For an argument, I would agree with docs it may be true(The hypothesis of masking and correcting). But am very keen to know what difference does it make in a patient? For an anxious patient, klonopin or a similar benzo gives instant relief from his hyperarousal and anxiety. But an antidepressant takes as long as two weeks or more for a slight relief(and initially there will be an intolerable increase in anxiety and agitation in the case of SSRIs and other new ADs.) But whether it corrects or masks, the effect patient get is the same. And even if antidepressants corrects the chemical imbalance, the effect is only drug induced and wears off once the drug is withdrawn.
Antidepressants especially newer ones are no more considered safe in case of dependence. They can also produce severe physiological and psychological dependence and marked withdrawal reactions in a patient. Physicians insist on gradual withdrawal and this procedure takes months. So is the case of benzodiazepines. Even, after years of benzo exposure, if the patient is going through a gradual withdrawal process, benzos don't make any severe withdrawal symptoms.
So I suggest it is time to rethink the strategy. Benzodiazepines alone can be very useful in treating anxiety and depression. Xanax is having unique antidepressant properties in doses higher than usual and klonopin can be an effective mood stabilizer. I think physicians should give these wonderful proven medications a priority.
HIBA
poster:hiba
thread:116248
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/118122.html