Overview
Anxiolytic use disorder is characterized by problematic patterns of benzodiazepine use, often leading to dependence and withdrawal symptoms upon cessation. This condition can significantly impair daily functioning and quality of life.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is based on DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorders, applied to benzodiazepine use.
Assessment includes evaluating the pattern and consequences of benzodiazepine use, as well as the presence of withdrawal symptoms.Management
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) have demonstrated short-term anxiolytic effects compared to treatment as usual 1.
ACT and MBCT showed comparable effects to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on anxiety outcomes, while MBSR showed significantly lower effects compared to CBT 1.
Effects on depression and quality of life followed similar trends to anxiety outcomes 1.
Specific treatment effects beyond placebo mechanisms remain unclear 1.
Adverse events were insufficiently reported in the reviewed studies 1.Key Recommendations
Acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions (ACT, MBCT, MBSR) can provide short-term anxiolytic effects when used in addition to treatment as usual 1. (Evidence: Strong)
ACT and MBCT demonstrate comparable short-term anxiety reduction effects to CBT 1. (Evidence: Strong)
MBSR shows significantly lower short-term anxiety reduction effects compared to CBT 1. (Evidence: Strong)References
1 Haller H, Breilmann P, Schröter M, Dobos G, Cramer H. A systematic review and meta-analysis of acceptance- and mindfulness-based interventions for DSM-5 anxiety disorders. Scientific reports 2021. link