Benzodiazepines in Treating PTSD

1 Benzodiazepines in Treating PTSD Therapists use benzodiazepines to treat veterans' mental conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These medications improve feelings by slowing down brain function and body activities. Shiwaku et al. (2020) noted that they potentiate the action of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) in receptors positioned in the central nervous system (CNS).

Benzodiazepines generate a feeling of calmness and drowsiness, thus effectively treating anxiety and insomnia. They help patients fall asleep and maintain sleep for a long duration (Shiwaku et al., 2020).

Benzodiazepines produce several side effects, including headaches, digestive disturbances, low blood pressure, and changes in sexual desires. Although benzodiazepines effectively treat anxiety and insomnia, the Veteran Affairs Practice Guideline strongly recommends against long-term use of these medications (U.S Department of Veteran Affairs, 2022). These recommendations are grounded on unproven benzodiazepines efficacy and potential risks for dependence and abuse.

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Benzodiazepines elevate the risk of life-threatening conditions, including comma if taken with other medications. Opiate medications such as codeine used to treat coughs and pain could generate severe health outcomes if used concurrently with benzodiazepines. For instance, the patient may experience unusual dizziness, unresponsiveness, extreme sleepiness, difficulty breathing, and lightheadedness if they combine these medications (Ehret, 2019).

Benzodiazepines are contraindicated in persons with COPD, sleep apnea, and myasthenia gravis, which are treated using opiate medications (Shiwaku et al., 2020). Doctors must comprehensively analyze the medication history of their patients to determine if they are taking opiate medications.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) constitute the first line therapy for PTSD. These medications include sertraline, venlafaxine, and paroxetine. They modulate anger and lower depressive symptoms such as avoidance, re-experiencing, and hyperarousal (Ehret, 2019).

3 References Ehret, M. (2019). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: Focus on pharmacotherapy. Mental Health Clinician, 9(6), 373–382. https://doi.org/10.9740%2Fmhc.2019.11.373 Fluyau, D., Revadigar, N., & Manobianco, B. E. (2018). Challenges of the pharmacological management of benzodiazepine withdrawal, dependence, and discontinuation.

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 8(5), 147-168. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F2045125317753340 Shiwaku, H., Fujita, M., & Takahashi, H. (2020). Benzodiazepines reduce relapse and recurrence rates in patients with psychotic depression. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 9(6), 1938. https://doi.org/10.3390%2Fjcm9061938 U.S Department of Veteran Affairs (2022). Veteran Affairs (VA)/Department of Defense (DoD) Clinical Practice Guidelines. https://www.healthquality.va.gov/guidelines/