Benzodiazepines. Repulsive drugs that are still harming patients

Benzodiazepines are repulsive pharmaceutical drugs that have caused millions of patients great harm over decades. They should have no place in a civilised, caring society.

Yet the continued to be prescribed by doctors. The conventional medical establishment must know about the harm they cause - and yet they have done little to protect patients.

I will not repeat what I have already written about 'Benzos', but everyone should know about them, and no-one should agree to take them. There are, after all, safer, and more effective ways of treating anxiety and depression.

               "Benzodiazepine drugs have been described as a 40-year plus horror story for tens of thousands of people in the UK, a scandal that has never been properly addressed. This first benzodiazepine drug, Librium, was discovered in 1955, and came to the market in the early 1960's. For many years benzodiazepines were considered to be 'wonder drugs', to the extent that prescriptions soared to 32 million in the UK in 1978. Only then were the adverse effects were recognised, initially by the patients taking them, and only slowly and very reluctantly by the conventional medical establishment.

               The scandal of these drugs broke in the 1980's, after it was accepted that thousands of patients had become horribly addicted to drugs like Librium and Valium. The victims complained of DIEs such as blackouts, epileptic seizures, memory loss, brain damage, insomnia and personality change. What is far worse is that many people who suffered these Benzodiazepine effects still do so, many years later - so clearly these were real DIE's, and not merely short term  side-effects' or 'adverse reactions' as they are often described!"

Yet doctors still prescribe the drug to millions of people throughout the world, subjecting patients to the same harm they were suffering over 40 years ago.

Benzodiazepine drugs should have been banned many years ago, but at least there are now restrictions on their prescription now. Guidance to doctors state that they must not be prescribed for longer than 4 weeks! Yet it would appear that conventional medicine, slave as it is to the pharmaceutical industry, just ignores the guidance!

A study published in July 2017 by the University of Roehampton has found that in Britain over one-quarter of one million patients are being prescribed benzodiazepines (and more recent but similar Z-drugs) for over 12 months.

• So what use is medical science if it is capable of unleashing dangerous drugs on patients?
• What use are medical guidelines, based on medical science, and produced to safeguard patients, are routinely ignored by doctors?
• From where can patients look for unbiased advice about the safety of pharmaceutical drugs if their doctors refuse to do so?

The BNF (British National Formulary - the doctors 'bible' on drug contraindications and side effects - clearly recommends that benzodiazepine drugs should be prescribed ONLY in short courses, and certainly no longer than four weeks. The reason is the high risk of dependency, the adverse neurological and cognitive side effects, and the severe dependency and withdrawal symptoms they are known to produce.

The new research shows that about 100,000 benzodiazepine and Z-drug users in Britain were taking the drugs for at least 12 times longer than the BNF recommends, and that many patients were taking them for over a year.

Patients on the drug found that 43% wanted support to come off the drugs, and that just over 119,000 patients in the UK may also be interested in making use of withdrawal services.

               "Many of the patients experiencing problems with prescribed medicines may have avoided the associated harms if existing prescribing guidelines had been followed.’

Many more would have avoided the consequences of Benzos if they had not been put on them in the first place! But conventional medicine has little safe to offer patients, whether for anxiety or anything else, so doctors continue to justify the prescription of Benzodiazepine drugs. In a Pulse article about the study,  Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard is quoted as saying: 

               "Benzodiazepines and other psychotropic drugs can be very effective when they are prescribed appropriately and in accordance with clinical guidelines; something that GPs are highly trained to do, taking into account the unique physical, psychological and social factors potentially affecting the health of the patient in front of us, and in conversation with them."

Yes, Professor Stokes-Lampard, doctors may be trained to safeguard patients from dangerous drugs and vaccines - but they are clearly not doing so!

Instead, the conventional medical establishment continues to look for reasons to prescribe dangerous drugs like Benzodiazepines. Just a few days earlier the Pulse magazine published an article stating that a study had found there was "no increased risk of death with benzodiazepine use". I have not bothered to research who funded this research, but pharmaceutical money is probably not far away! But what does this type of research tell patients?

• That Benzodiazepine drugs may cause sleep disturbances and rebound insomnia, restlessness, irritability, elevated anxiety (yes really, an anxiety drug causes increased anxiety), weakness, blurred vision, panic attacks, tremors, sweating/flushing, nausea/vomiting, seizures, psychosis, hallucinations, dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
• But never mind all this, be satisfied , at least the drug does not kill you!

Benzodiazepines are repulsive pharmaceutical drugs that have caused millions of patients great harm over decades. They have no place in a civilised, caring society.

Anxiety? Homeopathic Treatment, or Conventional Drug Treatment?

This article was first published on the "Why Homeopathy?" website

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease or nervousness about something with an uncertain outcome, or a strong desire or concern about doing something, or for something to happen. It is usually distinguished from fear. Anxiety can sometimes be a generalised feeling, although sometimes it can involve phobias, panic attacks, obsessive compulsive disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder.

Conventional Medical Treatment for Anxiety

NHS Choices describes ‘generalised anxiety disorder’ as a long-term condition. It describes a number of treatment that ‘can help’, starting with some self-help strategies. It then move to psychology based treatments, such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, and Relaxation Therapies, both of which can certainly be helpful, and without the damaging side-effects of drug treatment.

Drug treatment is the next treatment used by conventional medicine, with NHS Choices outlining that many of these can only be used on a short-term basis, and the importance of keeping in touch with your doctor, particularly concerning the adverse reactions known to be caused by these drugs.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

These are antidepressant drugs, such a Sertraline, Escitalopram and Paroxetine, which seek to increase the level of serotonin in the brain. NHS Choices describe the main side effects of SSRI’s as

• feeling sick, nausea
• low sex drive
• blurred vision
• diarrhoea or constipation
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• loss of appetite
• seating
• agitation (!)
• insomnia

Patients are warned not to stop taking these drugs because they have ‘withdrawal’ effects.

Serotonin and Noradrenaline Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)

NHS Choices says that if SSRIs do not work, SNRIs are used. SNRIs are a different type of antidepressant drug, and mentions Venlafaxine and Duloxetine as examples. The common side effects of these drugs are described as follows.

• feeling sick, nausea
• headaches
• drowsiness
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• constipation
• insomnia
• sweating
• low sex drive
• raised blood pressure (monitored whilst taking SNRIs)

Pregabalin

This is an anticonvulsant drug, used to treat epilepsy. The side effects of this drug are described as follows:

• drowsiness
• dizziness
• increased appetite and weight gain
• blurred vision
• headaches
• dry mouth
• vertigo
• nausea and low sex drive (but not so much as SSRI and SNRI drugs

Benzodiazepine Drugs

NHS Choices describe these as “a type of sedative that may sometimes be used as a short-term treatment during a particularly severe period of anxiety…” They include drugs such a Chlordiazepoxide, Diazepam and Lorazepam. Although they are described as ‘very effective in treating symptoms of anxiety” the warnings attached to them indicate how dangerous to our health they are known to be. They cannot be used ‘for long periods of time  because they can become addictive is used for longer than four week’, after which, in any case, they ‘begin to lose their effectiveness’.

The side effects of Benzodiazepine drugs are very considerable although NHS Choices admits only to these.

• drowsiness (affecting ability to drive, use machinery)
• difficulty concentrating
• headaches
• vertigo
• tremor
• low sex drive

Yet the impact of Benzodiazepine drugs are known to be much more severe than this, and anyone considering taking them should do further research, and not rely on conventional medical practitioners telling you about them.

The Homeopathic Treatment of Anxiety

Note. Homeopathy does not treat illness or diseases. It treats an individual who has been diagnosed with a particular illness or disease. The distinction is important. Click here to read more about “Illness Diagnosis”. 

Homeopathy works by matching the symptoms of illness with the known symptoms of remedies. These short remedy descriptions may guide you to a remedy that can work for you, but consulting with a qualified homeopath will enhance the chances of a good match. When a close match is found the remedy will work successfully, without any side effects, or adverse reactions.

These useful remedy descriptions are taken from the Similima website.

Aconitum
A panic attack that comes on suddenly with very strong fear (even fear of death) may indicate this remedy. A state of immense anxiety may be accompanied by strong palpitations, shortness of breath, and flushing of the face. Sometimes a shaking experience will be the underlying cause. Strong feelings of anxiety may also occur when a person is just beginning to come down with a flu or cold.

Argentum nit
This remedy can be helpful when anxiety develops before a big event: an exam, an important interview, a public appearance or social engagement. Dizziness and diarrhea may also be experienced. People who need this remedy are often enthusiastic and suggestible, with a tendency toward peculiar thoughts and impulses. They often crave sweets and salt (which usually make their symptoms worse).

Arsenicum
People who are deeply anxious about their health, and extremely concerned with order and security, often benefit from this remedy. Obsessive about small details and very neat, they may feel a desperate need to be in control of everything. Panic attacks often occur around midnight or the very early hours of the morning. The person may feel exhausted yet still be restless—fidgeting, pacing, and anxiously moving from place to place. These people may also have digestive problems or asthma attacks accompanied by anxiety.

Calcarea carb
This remedy is usually indicated for dependable, solid people who become overwhelmed from physical illness or too much work and start to fear a breakdown. Their thoughts can be muddled and confused when tired, which adds to the anxiety. Worry and bad news may agitate them, and a nagging dread of disaster (to themselves or others) may develop. Fear of heights and claustrophobia are also common. A person who needs this remedy is often chilly and sluggish, has a craving for sweets, and is easily fatigued.

Gelsemium
Feelings of weakness, trembling, and mental dullness (being “paralyzed by fear”) suggest a need for this remedy. It is often helpful when a person has stage-fright about a public performance or interview, or feels anxious before a test, a visit to the dentist, or any stressful event. Chills, perspiration, diarrhea, and headaches will often occur with nervousness. Fear of crowds, a fear of falling, and even a fear that the heart might stop are other indications for Gelsemium.

Ignatia
A sensitive person who is anxious because of grief, loss, disappointment, criticism, loneliness (or any stressful emotional experience) may benefit from this remedy. A defensive attitude, frequent sighing, and mood swings are other indications. The person may burst unexpectedly into either tears or laughter. Headaches that feel like a nail driven into the side of the head, and cramping pains in the abdomen or back, are often seen when this remedy is needed.

Kali phos
When a person has been exhausted by overwork or illness and feels a deep anxiety and inability to cope, this remedy may help. The person is jumpy and oversensitive, and may be startled by ordinary sounds. Hearing unpleasant news or thinking of world events can aggravate the problems. Insomnia and an inability to concentrate may develop, increasing the sense of nervous dread. Eating, warmth, and rest often bring relief. Headaches, backaches, and nervous digestive upsets are often seen when this remedy is needed.

Lycopodium
Individuals likely to respond to this remedy feel anxiety from mental stress and suffer from a lack of confidence. They can be self-conscious and feel intimidated by people they perceive as powerful (yet may also swagger or be domineering toward those with whom they feel more comfortable). Taking on responsibility can cause a deep anxiety and fear of failure, although the person usually does well, once started on a task. Claustrophobia, irritability, digestive upsets with gas and bloating, and a craving for sweets are often seen when this remedy is needed.

Natrum mur
Deep emotions and a self-protective shyness can make these people seem reserved, aloof, and private. Even when feeling lonely, they tend to stay away from social situations, not knowing what to say or do. (Inhibitions sometimes leave completely if they turn to alcohol, which makes them feel embarrassed afterwards.) Easily hurt and offended, they can brood, bear grudges, dwell on unhappy feelings, and isolate themselves—refusing consolation even when they want it. However, they are often sympathetic listeners to other people’s problems. Claustrophobia, anxiety at night (with fears of robbers or intruders), migraines, and insomnia are often seen when this remedy is needed.

Phosphorus
People who need this remedy are openhearted, imaginative, excitable, easily startled, and full of intense and vivid fears. Strong anxiety can be triggered by thinking of almost anything. Nervous and sensitive to others, they can overextend themselves with sympathy to the point of feeling exhausted and “spaced out” or even getting ill. They want a lot of company and reassurance, often feeling better from conversation or a back-rub. Easy flushing of the face, palpitations, thirst, and a strong desire for cold, refreshing foods are other indications for Phosphorus.

Pulsatilla
People who need this remedy often express anxiety as insecurity and clinginess, with a need for constant support and comforting. The person may be moody, tearful, whiny, even emotionally childish. (Pulsatilla is a very useful remedy for children.) Getting too warm or being in a stuffy room often increases anxiety. Fresh air and gentle exercise often bring relief. Anxiety around the time of hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual periods, or menopause) often is helped with Pulsatilla.

Silicea
People who need this remedy are capable and serious, yet are also nervous, shy, and subject to bouts of temporary loss of confidence. Anxiety can be extreme when they are faced with a public appearance, interview, examination, or any new job or task. Worry and overwork can bring on headaches, difficulty concentrating, and states of exhaustion, oversensitivity, and dread. Responsible and diligent, they often overreact and devote attention to tiny details—making their worries (and their work) more difficult. They often have low stamina and come down with colds, sore throats, or other illnesses after working hard or being under stress.

Randomised Controlled Tests (RCTs)

The evidence for homeopathy. Please note that RCTs are the third, and decidedly the least important type of evidence supporting Homeopathy as a medical therapy.

A Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral Matricaria recutita (Chamomile) extract therapy for generalized anxiety disorder.

Conclusion. This is the first controlled clinical trial of chamomile extract for GAD. The results suggest that chamomile may have modest anxiolytic activity in patients with mild to moderate GAD. Future studies are needed to replicate these observations.

The information on this webpage represents the views and opinion of the author, based on his clinical experience, and the traditions of Homeopathy. This material is provided for information only, and should not be construed as medical advice or instruction. Always consult with a suitably qualified and registered Homeopath, or with a medical doctor for advice about the treatment they offer, especially in serious or life threatening medical conditions, or if you are already taking medical drugs.’

Mental Health and Homeopathy

Homeopathy is able to treat all forms of mental illness, safely, gently and effectively. So if you suffer from any of the following conditions you should consider a homeopathic consultation.

• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Fears and phobias
• Issues arising from sexual or physical abuse
• OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)
• ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder)
• Eating disorders, Bulimia, Anorexia, etc.
• Mood swings and bipolar disorder (once called manic depression)
• SAD (seasonal affective disorder)
• Suicidal feelings
• Schizophrenia
• Confusion or Dementia

Homeopathy and Depression
Homeopathy is very effective with depression, which seems to be so common now. It is not necessary either to suffer from, or to resort to taking conventional drugs, such as the Benzodiazepams (eg, Valium and Librium), or even the newer drugs, like Prosac, that are known to have dangerous side-effects.

Conventional drugs can give you a temporary lift from feelings of depression, but the ‘lift’ lasts only as long as the drug remains active within the body. In the longer term, nothing changes – the underlying social and emotional causes of your depression remain unchanged. Research on antidepressant drugs indicates that 40% of people who have tried them either do not respond to them, or they cannot tolerate the side effects. Moreover, many conventional drugs cannot be prescribed for too long as they have serious adverse reactions and addictive qualities.

Homeopathic remedies are not addictive, and they do not have the unpleasant side effects of conventional drugs. They are safe and harmless – but at the same time they are very effective. They can also be augmented with Bach Flower remedies, which developed in the early 20th Century - a closely related off-shoot of homeopathy.

So Why Choose Homeopathy?
1. It can provide deep, long-lasting change - without drugs
Homeopathy can produce positive results in people with psychiatric and mental health problems. A well-matched homeopathic remedy stimulates emotional healing and can transform a person’s life. Even those people who have been depressed for a long time can find renewed hope, develop brighter spirits, more energy, and improved physical health.

Homeopathy can help you to cope with the subconscious as well as the conscious mind. Old hurts, grief, anxieties, injustices, jealousies, and obsessions can be put in their proper perspective and released. Anxious people can find themselves calmer and less worried, their panic relieved.

2. It is safe and effective
Homeopathic medicine is one of the safest forms of medicine. It is natural, non-toxic, and non-addictive. Conventional drugs are chemical substances that have direct physiological and psychological effects, and these cause adverse reactions. Homeopathy is an ‘energy’ medicine. Remedies work by stimulating the body's own natural powers of recovery, and enabling it to restore balance and health.

Homeopathic remedies are made from substances that have been highly diluted. So even remedies made from poisonous substances are not harmful because the extreme dilution means that none of the original substance is left. What is left is the gentle energy of the substance that can cure – safely, gently and effectively.

Homeopathic prescribing matches a patient's detailed symptom profile with a remedy that has a similar profile. Therefore, the key to the homeopathic approach to mental health is to find the remedy that corresponds most closely to the individual’s mental and physical symptoms.

When this is achieved, homeopathy can lift depression and mental illnesses quickly and effectively. But an accurate matching with a remedy is required, so an appointment with a registered homeopath is recommended.

More serious, longer-term mental illness can also be treated, but again, it is best to consult with a registered homeopath who is prepared to work closely with the conventional medical authorities.

For more information on the homeopathic treatment of mental illness, go to this website.