Benzodiazepines Don't Disrupt Grieving

Although bereaved patients may be anxious and sleepless, there has been recent concern about benzodiazepine dependence and about whether tranquilizers might interfere with the grieving process. These British researchers sought to determine the effects of benzodiazepines on grieving. Within days of losing a spouse or partner, at 8 weeks, and at 6 months, 70 individuals (40 women) completed questionnaires on their bereavement experience. Thirty subjects (16 women) accepted 20 tablets of either 2 mg of diazepam (n=14) or placebo (n=16), to be taken up to 3 times a day. After the 6-week treatment period, subjects used visual analogue scales to record the usefulness of the medication in reducing distress. Diazepam had no demonstrable effect on t…