😱Patients seeking help to get off benzodiazepines are increasing.
😨A subset of individuals find it extremely difficult to withdraw from benzodiazepines.
😴Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and depression.
🕺Some patients experience movement disorders during withdrawal.
🧠Benzodiazepines work on the brain's reward pathway, leading to dopamine deficit and withdrawal symptoms.
Why are more patients seeking help to get off benzodiazepines?
—There is an increasing awareness of the difficulties and risks associated with benzodiazepine dependency, leading more patients to seek help to overcome it.
Are withdrawal symptoms the same for all patients?
—No, while common withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and depression, some patients may experience movement disorders or other unique symptoms.
Can patients without a history of addiction also struggle with benzodiazepine withdrawal?
—Yes, dependence on benzodiazepines can occur even without a history of addiction. It is a physiological response affecting a subset of individuals.
Why is a slow taper recommended during benzodiazepine withdrawal?
—A slow taper helps manage withdrawal symptoms and minimizes the risk of severe depression, irritability, and physical restlessness in patients.
Do all patients fully recover from benzodiazepine withdrawal?
—While most patients eventually recover from benzodiazepine withdrawal, some may continue to experience significant symptoms of depression and restlessness for years.
00:00Patients seeking help to get off benzodiazepines are increasing.
01:03A subset of individuals find it extremely difficult to withdraw from benzodiazepines.
01:36Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and depression.
02:05Some patients experience movement disorders during withdrawal.
02:43Benzodiazepines work on the brain's reward pathway, leading to dopamine deficit and withdrawal symptoms.
