DIAZEPAM IN A GENERAL PSYCHIATRIC PRACTICE
WINSTON E. BURDINE M.D.1
1 Atlanta, Ga.
Diazepam was administered to 108 patients under treatment in a general psychiatric practice. The diagnoses included psychoneurotic and psychotic reactions, character disorders, alcoholism, and drug addiction.
Initial diazepam dosages ranged from 10 to 80 mg. per day with later adjustments to meet the patient's needs. Concurrent therapy included psychotherapy, administration of antidepressants and phenothiazine derivatives, and ECT or ICT. Duration of treatment was from 3 days to 7 months.
The results were satisfactory in 91 patients and unsatisfactory in 17. Side effects occurred in 20 patients and necessitated discontinuance of therapy in 10. These side effects included ataxia, dizziness, nightmares, skin rash, and miscellaneous subjective responses.
Diazepam was considered an effective drug for adjunctive use in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Used alone it was effective in less severe psychoneurotic reactions, and in conjunction with other treatment methods was of marked benefit in the more severe reactions and psychotic disturbances. It also proved useful in the management of alcoholic coma, delirium tremens, and drug withdrawal, and during rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug addicts.
