Evaluating the use of benzodiazepines following recent bereavement

BACKGROUND: There is no evidence to support current advice not to use benzodiazepines after bereavement. AIMS: To determine the role of benzodiazepines in the management of bereavement. METHOD: 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). CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of a positive or negative effect of benzodiazepines on the course of bereavement.