title: Evaluating the use of benzodiazepines following recent bereavement.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is no evidence to support current advice not to use benzodiazepines after bereavement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the role of benzodiazepines in the management of bereavement.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the use of diazepam after recent bereavement. Participants were randomised to either 2 mg diazepam or identically packaged placebo up to three times daily. The primary outcome measure was the Bereavement Phenomenology Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty subjects were randomised. No evidence was found of an effect of benzodiazepines on the course of the first 6 months of bereavement (estimated mean difference of combined follow-up assessments=0.3 in favour of placebo; 95% Cl - 6.2 to +6.7).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no evidence of a positive or negative effect of benzodiazepines on the course of bereavement.
authors.affiliation: Imperial College School of Medicine, St Charles Hospital, London, UK. j.warner@ic.ac.uk
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Metcalfe
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001601:Bereavement; D000075202:Contraindications; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D014151:Anti-Anxiety Agents; D003975:Diazepam