We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Evaluation of inappropriate benzodiazepine use among the elderly: risk factors and impacts.
- Authors
Rouleau, Annick; Bélanger, Claude; O'Connor, Kieron; Gagnon, Cynthia
- Abstract
Inappropriate benzodiazepine use among the elderly is a common and frequently underestimated problem. The present literature review explores benzodiazepine abuse in this population from a biological, psychological, and environmental perspective. A further objective is the identification of intervention strategies for addressing this problem. The scientific literature reveals a lack of consensus and validity concerning the description of BZD abuse. The prescription practices and somewhat lax attitudes of doctors working with the elderly contribute substantially to the lack of acknowledgement of the magnitude of this problem. Complications specific to the elderly, such as attitudes toward mental illness and differential manifestation of distress, are discussed. Difficulties related to the evaluation of anxiety and depression in elderly patients, have also been identified to contribute too many cases of BZD abuse. In conclusion, it is proposed that research in this area investigate integrati- ve methods for evaluating BZD abuse in the elderly.
- Publication
Sante Mentale au Quebec, 2011, Vol 36, Issue 2, p123
- ISSN
0383-6320
- Publication type
Journal Article
- DOI
10.7202/1008593ar