Pills for personal problems.

Trethowan, W. H.

doi:10.1136/bmj.3.5986.749

Cited by 58 publications

(20 citation statements)

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“…Also, the phenomenon of increased prescribing of such drugs has been labelled as "the relentless march of the psychotropic drug juggernaut". (Trethowan 1975). …”

Section: The Scale Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…Even with restricted prescriptions of this group of drugs (Commencing in 1985) it is clear that they will still be heavily prescribed. These statistics can be seen as a measure of "the degree to which psychotropic drugs are being increasingly prescribed to try and modify personal and inter-personal processes" (Trethowan 1975). Also, the phenomenon of increased prescribing of such drugs has been labelled as "the relentless march of the psychotropic drug juggernaut".…”

Section: The Scale Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The potential usefulness in various settings of a short course on coping with stress and anxiety

Spall

Bosanko²

1986

Journal of the Institute of Health Education

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“…Also, the phenomenon of increased prescribing of such drugs has been labelled as "the relentless march of the psychotropic drug juggernaut". (Trethowan 1975). …”

Section: The Scale Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: The Scale Of the Problemmentioning

confidence: 99%

The potential usefulness in various settings of a short course on coping with stress and anxiety

Spall

Bosanko²

1986

Journal of the Institute of Health Education

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“…Professional and lay publications expressed growing concern that benzodiazepines were being over prescribed and that tranquillisers were being used to 'mollify personal and interpersonal processes' (Trethowan 1975). Furthermore, reports of addiction and withdrawal reactions after both therapeutic and larger dosages of benzodiazepines began to appear in the medical literature (Greenblatt et al 1990b;Hollister et al 1961;Preskorn & Denner 1977).…”

Section: Historymentioning

confidence: 98%

Rational Use of Benzodiazepines in the Elderly

Shorr

Robin

1994

Drugs & Aging

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In the 40 years since the introduction of benzodiazepines into clinical practice, considerable controversy has surrounded their use. While there is little evidence to suggest widespread abuse or long term use in most age groups, benzodiazepines continue to be widely prescribed to older adults in both community and long term care settings. Several studies have described an increased sensitivity to the clinical effects and toxicity of benzodiazepines in older adults. However, it is unclear whether these observations are attributable to age-related changes in benzodiazepine pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Benzodiazepines are the safest and most effective agents available for the pharmacological management of symptoms of anxiety and insomnia. However, the acute administration of benzodiazepines is associated with impairments in cognition, memory, coordination and balance, and long term use, even at therapeutic dosages, has been associated with symptoms of withdrawal upon abrupt discontinuation. Therefore, it is essential that the practitioner develop a treatment plan when utilising these agents to treat older patients. This plan may also involved the implementation of psychotherapy or other nonpharmacological modalities in the management of anxiety or insomnia. Although we recommend initiating benzodiazepines using the lowest available dosage, older patients should be treated with enough drug to produce a therapeutic response. For most clinical situations of anxiety or insomnia, we recommend prescribing limited quantities (e.g. a 2-week supply with a return visit for re-evaluation of effectiveness and adverse effects) of a drug with a short elimination half-life. Persistent anxiety or insomnia in the elderly may require a medical and possibly psychiatric evaluation. If benzodiazepines are used continuously for 6 weeks or longer, we recommend a gradual taper over 2 to 12 weeks with frequent follow-up to evaluate for signs of withdrawal or the return of symptoms.

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“…More and more drugs are being produced and promoted for a widening range of disease conditions but a rather more disturbing phenomenon is that the man in the street (and to an even greater extent the woman in the street) increasingly seems to expect his doctor to provide medication which will have the effect of making life's problems go away. Trethowan (1975)1 in a thoughtful article pointed out that drugs are now being demanded for "those who dislike their jobs, fear redundancy, cannot get along with their wives" etc.…”

Section: University Department Of Geriatric Medicine Edinburghmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging and Drug Therapy

1984

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Pills for personal problems.

Cited by 58 publications

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The potential usefulness in various settings of a short course on coping with stress and anxiety

The potential usefulness in various settings of a short course on coping with stress and anxiety

Rational Use of Benzodiazepines in the Elderly

Aging and Drug Therapy

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