ISSN 2586-0151 (Print) | ISSN 2586-0046 (Online)
대한불안의학회지 (21권2호 48-54)
Prescribing Patterns of Benzodiazepines in the Pharmacological Treatment of Panic Disorder and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
공황장애와 범불안장애 약물 치료에서 벤조디아제핀의 처방현황
Yoon Young Chang1, Eunsoo Moon2, Jun Ho Seo3, Min-Kyoung Kim4, Hyeon-Ah Lee5, Myung Hee Ahn6, Kang Soo Lee4, Ho-Jun Seo7, Ho-Suk Suh8, Kyoung-Uk Lee7, and Won Kim1
1Department of Psychiatry, Sanggye Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, 2Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, 3Department of Psychiatry, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, 4Department of Psychiatry, CHA Ilsan Medical Center, CHA University, Ilsan, 5Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, 6Division of Psychiatry, Health Screening and Promotion Center, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, 7Department of Psychiatry, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam, 8Department of Psychiatry, St. Vincent’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, 9Suh Hosuk Yonsei Psychiatry Clinic for Healthy Mind, Seoul, 10Department of Psychiatry, Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Uijeongbu, Korea
Objective : Panic disorder (PD) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) significantly impair daily func
tioning and quality of life. Benzodiazepines (BZDs) provide rapid anxiolytic effects through GABA-A recep
tor modulation but pose risks of dependence, tolerance, and cognitive decline. Guidelines recommend SSRIs
and SNRIs as first-line agents, restricting BZDs to short-term use, yet real-world practice often diverges.
Methods : A cross-sectional survey of 113 psychiatrists, all lifetime members of the Korean Anxiety Disor
ders Association, was conducted between August and October 2024. A 16-item questionnaire assessed pre
scribing patterns, dosage, and duration of BZD use in PD and GAD. Data were analyzed with chi-square tests.
Results : In the acute phase, 60% of respondents reported prescribing BZDs in 81%-100% of PD cases,
compared with 30.3% in GAD (p<0.001). Maintenance-phase prescriptions declined but often persisted;
21%-40% of PD patients and 0%-20% of GAD patients received BZDs for over one year. Although most
psychiatrists considered 3-6 months appropriate, actual use frequently extended to 6-12 months or longer.
Dosages were generally comparable to other anxiety disorders, with lower doses preferred in maintenance.
Conclusion : BZDs remain widely prescribed in PD and GAD, particularly during acute treatment, de
spite guideline restrictions. Extended use reflects both clinical needs and patient-related factors, underscor
ing the necessity for pragmatic, safety-conscious prescribing strategies in real-world practice. (Anxiety and
Mood 2025;21(2):48-54)
Panic disorder; Generalized anxiety disorder; Benzodiazepines; Prescribing patterns.
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