by
Stepy —
April 10, 2014
- Nowadays, anxiety disorders and sleeping disorders are becoming more common. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older (18% of U.S. population).”
- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute reports that “an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans have chronic (ongoing) sleep disorders.”
- Drugs are typically prescribed for sleep disorders and anxiety disorders.
- A large study published in BMJ shows that some anti-anxiety drugs and sleeping pills can double the risk of death.
- The study was conducted at the University of Warwick and though these results were based on routine data and need to be interpreted with caution, the research team suggests that understanding their impact is crucial.
- Professor Scott Weich, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Warwick had this to say, “The key message here is that we really do have to use these drugs more carefully. This builds on a growing body of evidence suggesting that their side effects are significant and dangerous. We have to do everything possible to minimise over reliance on anxiolytics and sleeping pills.”
- “That’s not to say that they cannot be effective. But particularly due to their addictive potential we need to make sure that we help patients to spend as little time on them as possible and that we consider other options, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, to help them to overcome anxiety or sleep problems,” adds Weich.
- The research team also accounted for other factors when possible, including other medications, age, smoking, alcohol use, and more.
- 34, 727 people were studied for seven and a half years from the time they first took an anti-anxiety or sleeping pill.
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- Benzodiazepines were prescribed most often, including diazepam and temazepam. Many patients took more than one drug over the course of the study.
- Note: The content on our website is for educational purposes only. Please consult your health practitioner or a qualified expert.
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- For the health benefits of sleeping.
- Fragmented sleep may accelerate tumor growth.
- For a mood-lifting drink.
- Early depression treatment prevents heart problems.
- As seen on Dr. Oz passionflower tea can help with stress and anxiety.
- REFERENCES:
- 1. “Effect of Anxiolytic and Hypnotic Drug Prescriptions on Mortality Hazards: Retrospective Cohort Study.” BMJ.com. BMJ 2014, 18 Feb. 2014. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
- 2. “Anti-anxiety Drugs, Sleeping Pills Linked to Risk of Death.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 31 Mar. 2014. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
- 3. “University of Warwick.” University of Warwick. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
- 4. “Facts & Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America. ADAA, n.d. Web. 02 Apr. 2014.
- 5. “What Are Sleep Deprivation and Deficiency?” National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2014.
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