Comparative studies on benzodiazepines and psychotherapies

BZD may have some temporary palliative value in reducing anxiety over the short-term, but have not yet been shown to be of lasting value for neuroses either on their own or with any form of psychotherapy. When the drug is withdrawn, at best the effects do not persist and at worst there are severe side effects after withdrawal. 3 controlled studies of diazepam have been completed in phobics having exposure. In two of these there was a slight temporary gain when diazepam was combined with exposure, but the only study to have followup found that this gain dissipated within a month. Uncontrolled evidence suggests that high doses of BZD might actually impede improvement during exposure treatment of phobics . In contrast, exposure treatment is enduringly effective and can often be self-administered with minimum guidance from the therapist.