Anxiety disorders: use of benzodiazepines

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Abstract

Anxiety disorders are the most common type of mental illness. Due to their high prevalence (3.3% of the global disease burden), chronic course and a large number of comorbidities, anxiety disorders are among the nine leading causes of disability. The presence of anxiety in heart disease, cancer or lung disease negatively affects the quality of life, treatment adherence, prognosis and treatment costs. Anxiety disorders are treated using psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy or a combination of both. Benzodiazepines are an effective treatment for anxiety, if prescribed as directed and with control over adverse events, some of which are described in the article. Unlike SSRIs, which are first-line drugs for treating anxiety disorders, the anxiolytic effect of which develops only after 2–4 weeks of use, benzodiazepines provide a rapid pharmacological response with reduction of anxiety symptoms within a short time. In this regard, their use is advisable in short courses for rapid symptom relief. Diamidazepam, a member of the benzodiazepine group, combines a powerful anti-anxiety effect with an activating and anti-asthenic effect, while being virtually devoid of the side effects of classic benzodiazepines in the form of excessive sedation, drowsiness, and muscle relaxation.

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About the authors

Olga V. Kotova

People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University); International Society “Stress under Control”

Author for correspondence.
Email: ol_kotova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-3908-0381

Cand. Sci. (Med.), Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Associate Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Pathology, Faculty of Continuous Medical Education, Medical Institute, People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University); Vice-President of the International Society “Stress Under Control”

Russian Federation, Moscow; Moscow

Elena S. Akarachkova

International Society “Stress under Control”; Rehaline Rehabilitation Center

Email: ol_kotova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-7629-3773

Dr. Sci. (Med.), Neurologist, President of the International Society “Stress Under Control”; Deputy Chief Physician of the Rehaline Rehabilitation Center

Russian Federation, Moscow; Krasnogorsk

Aleksandra A. Belyaeva

People’s Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)

Email: ol_kotova@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0002-1047-7788

Student, Faculty of Continuous Medical Education, Medical Institute

Russian Federation, Moscow

Dzhinna I. Lebedeva

Regional Treatment and Rehabilitation Center; Tyumen State Medical University

Email: ol_kotova@mail.ru

Dr. Sci. (Med.), neurologist, Honored Doctor of the Russian Federation, Chief Physician, Regional Treatment and Rehabilitation Center; Associate Professor of the Department of Medical Prevention and Rehabilitation, Institute of Public Health and Digital Medicine, Tyumen State Medical University

Russian Federation, Tyumen; Tyumen

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