Anxiolytics and antidepressants are among the drugs “psychotropic” whose function is to change the psyche and therefore behavior.

1. Antidepressants

Provided that those who consume them will not increase spontaneously doses of treatment, antidepressants do not cause physical dependence, whatever the duration of their use. However, there may be some psychological dependence mainly due to the reassuring function of drugs. A sharp reduction in dosage can cause mild physical symptoms: dizziness, nausea, sweating. These effects do not occur if the dose is tapered.

2. Anxiolytics or tranquilizers

They are mainly indicated in anxiety states, sometimes insomnia or withdrawal (including alcohol). There were main effects of appeasing anxiety, relax muscles, and lower the tone in general (sedative). There are side effects, especially drowsiness, which can be dangerous, especially for drivers of vehicles and machinery. Many tranquilizers are prescribed based benzodiazepine, a substance that carries the risk of physical and psychological dependence. One person in ten regularly use and an estimated 7% the proportion of consumers that regular exhibits at the risk of addiction.

3. Hypnotics or sedatives

These drugs lower alertness and induce sleep. 9% of women and 4% of men consume * each night, and the elderly have more recourse. Such as tranquilizers, sleeping pills are prescribed most belong to the benzodiazepine family. Sleeping pills are sometimes ingested in large doses, or associated with other products, like alcohol, which potentiate the effects and redouble psychic phenomena and psychological dependence.

4. Signs and treatment of addiction

Dependence on psychotropic drugs results in tolerance requiring increasing doses to achieve the same psychic effects or do not feel lacking. To stop taking the drugs, weaning causes characteristic symptoms: significant anxiety, irritability, occasional seizures, especially among alcoholics. The risk of dependence is aggravated when the patient associates himself more products using prescription from different doctors. In addition, some patients continue to complain of their symptoms to their doctors, who by increasing the dosage, paving the way for escalating drug. The dependence treatment course based on prevention, with a limitation of prescribing anxiolytics from the doctor. Moreover, any anxiety state does not require the use of tranquilizers. Your doctor will know you administer the appropriate treatment. In cases of dependence, it will recommend a gradual reduction in dose for two to three weeks.

Anxiolytics are very effective against stress, anxiety, insomnia … The little (or big) problem is that the cause anxiolytic addiction and therefore tend to be taken long term by people who use them.

1. Your risk of death increases if you use antianxiety

It is now demonstrated in a Canadian study: people who use anti-anxiety had a significantly increased risk of mortality. Fortunately, this increase is still modest. The survey studied between 1994 and 2007, more than 14,000 people aged 18 to 102 years.

If you take tranquilizers, your mortality over 13 years (duration of the investigation) could spend (on average) from 11% to 16%.

2. What are the reasons for this increase in mortality anxiolytics?

Accidents may be more common, anxiolytics increasing reaction time, impair psychomotor coordination. Serious falls may also become more common in the elderly.

These drugs are respiratory depressants and might tend to aggravate heart or lung disease.

3. Anxiolytics are they really involved?

It could be that the highly anxious or sleep poorly are in worse health than others, causing an anti-anxiety medication more frequently than in healthy people. In other words, even if these drugs sedatives, tranquilizers are involved, it could be they are a consequence of a severe disease that can lead to death rather than a direct cause of death.

Anyway, it is strongly advised not to take long-term anxiolytics. Better a natural psychological health and a healthy life rather than a chemical carrier to decrease your anxiety!