Pandemic stress and Benzodiazepine usage

 Lemire, Karissa

September 11, 2020

Benzodiazepines

https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2020/05/18/coronavirus-anxiety-benzos-jack-turban-https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/201604/six-aromatherapy-essential-oils-stress-relief-and-sleepjessica-gold

Coronavirus, or COVID for short, is a pandemic that is impacting the United States significantly. Click here to view the COVID current numbers across the nation. The pandemic has changed how we operate as a society from needing to wear masks in public, to not visiting family in nursing homes or hospitals, not having family and friends gather, and children needing to participate in schooling at home. These changes have impacted how we behave but they are also impacting the ways in which we feel. Benzodiazepine medications specifically have seen a rise in popularity. More of these potent medications are being prescribed and used by people just like Whitney whose story is shared in the article above.

Whitney (name changed) sometimes suffers from panic attacks. She is prescribed clonazepam, a common benzodiazepine, to help her with anxiety. The medication helps Whitney when she is having a panic attack within a few moments. Whitney found herself not needing to take the medication frequently, just having it helped relieve some of her worries about having a panic attack, but this is not the case now during the pandemic. Whitney is going through much more of her prescription and is needing refills more frequently than ever before (Turbna, & Gold, 2020). Admit it, stressors are everywhere, from shutdowns to quarantines to grocery shopping feeling like an extreme sport. The pressure of adjusting to changes as well as trying to maintain health can be exhausting for many people. Below is an image provided by The Washington Post which illustrates the 34 out of 100 US adults who suffer from symptoms of both depression and anxiety (Fowers, & Wan, 2020).



 

How does this information compare in terms of growth? Today’s screening results are indicating 24% suffering symptoms of major depressive disorder and 30% generalized anxiety disorder. These percentages reflect a jump from 17% between 2013-2014 to 30% from May 2020. It should be noted that 30% is reflective over one week and 17% over two week period (Fowers, & Won, 2020). The increase can be interpreted however one would like but one thing is for certain, people are feeling more hopeless and down now and over half of the time. This number is alarming, and one could see how the urge to overtake benzodiazepines if prescribed them. Awareness about the risks associated with medications such as xanax, clonazepam, and valium is more important now than ever before. Review last week’s blog introduction to benzodiazepines for information on associated risks such as withdrawal and dangers of sudden discount usage of medication. This week, to encourage discussion, please share any article on the topic of stress reduction techniques. Psychology Today writer Marlynn Wei (2016) suggests six aromatherapy essential oils for quick stress relief to promote relaxation and sleep which include lavender, bergamot, clary sage, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and lemon. Natural techniques are a helpful addition and can be used alongside benzodiazepine medications to help curb addictive behaviors and reduce risks associated with taking medications too often and for too long.

References:

CDC. (2020). Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the U.S. Retrieved from https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#cases

Fowers, A., & Wan, W. (2020). A third of Americans now show signs of clinical anxiety or depression, Census Bureau finds amid coronavirus pandemic. The Washington Post, Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/26/americans-with-depression-anxiety-pandemic/?arc404=true.

Fowers, A., & Wan, W. (2020). 34 out of 100 show symptoms of anxiety, depression, or both [Image]. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2020/05/26/americans-with-depression-anxiety-pandemic/?arc404=true.

Lemire, K. (2020). What are Benzodiazepines? [Blog]. Retrieved from https://karissabenzodiazepineintro.blogspot.com/2020/09/what-are-benzodiazepines.html

Turban, J., & Gold, J. (2020). The pandemic is spiking anxiety. Before you take anti-anxiety medications, understand the risks,. Wbur. Retrieved from https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2020/05/18/coronavirus-anxiety-benzos-jack-turban-https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/201604/six-aromatherapy-essential-oils-stress-relief-and-sleepjessica-gold

Wei, M. (2016). Six aromatherapy essential oils for stress relief and sleep [Blog]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/urban-survival/201604/six-aromatherapy-essential-oils-stress-relief-and-sleep

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2020 at 6:40 PM

    Karissa,

    Your article covers a topic that I think is highly important to talk about during these troubling times. How are people coping with the depression of not being able to live life in the normal way people usually do. I think that it is kind of upsetting people are resorting to medication to get by the depression, but nevertheless it's better than some of the alternatives. I just hope it doesn't turn into the next "opioid crisis".

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 13, 2020 at 11:27 AM

    Karissa,

    I thought it was great that you found an article about your substance that also covered the correlation with the pandemic. I would have to agree with this article, the pandemic has caused a significant amount of mental health issues to the population. From people losing their jobs, to everything being shut down, and even having to adjust to the idea of homeschooling your kids. I read an article that alcohol sales are at an all time high as well during the pandemic. People are using these substances to suppress their anxiety and depression secondary to the pandemic we're all going through. Great job on your blog post!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 13, 2020 at 5:37 PM

    Karissa, I found your blog on a current event relating to COVID and anxiety prescribed medication to be very interesting! This is a subject that should be payed attention too because it happens a lot of the time. I honestly did not even think about people who struggle with anxiety during this whole pandemic. It makes so much sense why it would cause an individual with anxiety much more stress. I have struggled with anxiety during this whole time of quarantine and sickness and have never had a problem in the past. So, I cannot imagine what it must have been like for those who have already struggled with it. I cannot say that I know exactly what they feel but I can imagine it is hard. I thought it was unique that essential oils were suggested to help alongside prescribed medicine. I find that healthier ways to treat things are always a good recommendation and anything is worth a shot.

    ReplyDelete

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