The consumption of anxiolytics, which jumped during the first confinement, could start to rise again with this new turn of the screw in France.
But beware, Jimmy Mohamed alert on Europe 1 Friday, do not get used to regular consumption.
With the re-containment, the consumption of anxiolytics (such as Xanax, Valium or Seresta) could increase as during the first containment.
Prescriptions had jumped 20%, or a million more prescriptions.
The problem is that we should not take bad habits, warns the doctor of Europe 1 Jimmy Mohamed.
Regular consumption can indeed cause significant side effects.
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Drowsiness, habituation, lack ...
These drugs can cause "memory problems, drowsiness, a risk of accidents and falls especially in the elderly", recalls the doctor.
Then "an addiction, with a phenomenon of tolerance".
If you take this medicine for a while, for example three tablets a day, after a while "these three tablets are not going to be enough for your brain and you will need a little more".
Finally, the last side effect that should not be overlooked: "The phenomenon of withdrawal. If you take it for a very long time, and you suddenly stop this consumption, you will be in need and feel anxious, agitated, in a daze."
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Take the minimum effective dose
These treatments are therefore far from trivial.
However, there is no question of stigmatizing people who take anxiolytics.
But a few simple rules can avoid getting used to it: "When you are prescribed it, if you are given it for two, three or four weeks for example, you do not have to go to the end of the treatment", says Jimmy Mohamed.
"It can be occasional: if after two, three or seven days, you feel that you are better, do not continue the treatment. You must take the minimum effective dose."
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Be careful with other medicines and stop alcohol
Another rule: pay attention to interactions with other drugs, "because there is a risk of drowsiness".
It is also necessary to stop the alcohol, because the two "mix very badly since you risk a depression of the respiratory systems, or to be in a coma and to suffocate you", warns the doctor.
Finally, in the event of a state of permanent stress "which prevents you from living, sleeping, going to work, getting dressed and taking care of your children ... then you need a reference treatment which is psychotherapy with antidepressants. Anxiolytics are not the standard treatment for anxiety ", underlines Jimmy Mohamed.
If there was only one thing to remember it would be this: anti-anxiety drugs, like antibiotics, it is not automatic.