ABSTRACT
Anxiety and sleep disorders are ubiquitous throughout the world, and they have profound impacts on societal, as well as patient, health. They are commonly treated using benzodiazepines (BZDs), even though guidelines suggest that this class of medication be selected only after other options have proved unsuccessful, and then only used for short periods of time. In addition, relative benefits of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments need to be considered, and included in the treatment of both anxiety and sleep disorders. Perhaps one or more endogenous BZDs (endozepines) may play a role in the development of anxiety or sleep disorders, or influence the success or failure of therapeutic intervention, or adverse effects of treatment of these problems using BZD therapy, and possibly even the extent and duration of withdrawal upon discontinuation of therapy with BZDs. More needs to be learned.
