Discussion: Using Benzodiazepines in Clinical Practice

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Dr. Stewart: It seems that benzodiazepines only treat anxiety while the patient is taking them, but my impression from the literature is that antidepressants produce some cumulative changes in the brain if patients comply with treatment [Malberg JE. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2004;29:196-205]. Is it the case that benzodiazepines do not make any permanent changes in anxiety? Can anxiety disorders be cured by benzodiazepines?