Identifying priorities for future research on reducing and stopping psychiatric medication: results of a James Lind Alliance priority-setting partnership.

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the top 10 research priorities on reducing and stopping psychiatric medication that reflect the perspectives and unmet needs of three key stakeholder groups (people with lived experience, family members/carers/supporters and healthcare professionals).

Methods: A priority-setting partnership was conducted using the James Lind Alliance's seven-step process. This involved (1) creating an international Steering Group of key stakeholder representatives and (2) identifying potential partners; (3) gathering stakeholders' uncertainties about reducing and stopping psychiatric medication using an online survey and summarising the survey responses; (4) checking the summary questions against existing evidence and verifying uncertainties; (5) shortlisting the questions using a second online survey; (6) determining the top 10 research questions through a prioritisation workshop; and (7) disseminating the results.

'We need more support and doctors that understand the process of tapering …': A content analysis of free-text responses to a questionnaire on discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use.

Background: Many individuals worldwide continue to take benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) long term (≥3 months). The aim of this study was to conduct a content analysis of the views and experiences of discontinuing long-term BZRA use as documented in the free-text responses of respondents to an online questionnaire examining mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use.

Design: The questionnaire was disseminated via online BZRA support groups to community-based adults with either current or previous experience of long-term BZRA use.

Development and validation of a theory-based questionnaire examining barriers and facilitators to discontinuing long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use.

Background: Long-term use of benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BZRAs) is a persistent healthcare challenge and poses patient safety risks. Interventions underpinned by behaviour change theory are needed to support discontinuation of long-term BZRA use. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a questionnaire based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to examine mediators of behaviour change relating to the discontinuation of long-term BZRA use.

Priorities for future research on reducing and stopping psychiatric medicines using a James Lind Alliance priority setting partnership: The PROTECT study protocol.

: There is a growing number of service users looking to discontinue use of psychiatric medicines. Tapering is the recommended approach for reducing and/or discontinuing the use of psychiatric medicines. This involves gradually reducing the dose over time to minimise the potential for withdrawal symptoms.

Long-term consequences of benzodiazepine-induced neurological dysfunction: A survey.

Background: Acute benzodiazepine withdrawal has been described, but literature regarding the benzodiazepine-induced neurological injury that may result in enduring symptoms and life consequences is scant.

Objective: We conducted an internet survey of current and former benzodiazepine users and asked about their symptoms and adverse life events attributed to benzodiazepine use.

Methods: This is a secondary analysis of the largest survey ever conducted with 1,207 benzodiazepine users from benzodiazepine support groups and health/wellness sites who completed the survey.

Enduring neurological sequelae of benzodiazepine use: an Internet survey.

Introduction: Benzodiazepine tapering and cessation has been associated with diverse symptom constellations of varying duration. Although described in the literature decades ago, the mechanistic underpinnings of enduring symptoms that can last months or years have not yet been elucidated.

Objective: This secondary analysis of the results from an Internet survey sought to better understand the acute and protracted withdrawal symptoms associated with benzodiazepine use and discontinuation.

Supporting safe and gradual reduction of long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist use: Development of the SAFEGUARDING-BZRAs toolkit using a codesign approach.

Introduction: Long-term benzodiazepine receptor agonist (BZRA) use persists in healthcare settings worldwide and poses risks of patient harm.

Objective: This study aimed to develop an intervention to support discontinuation of long-term BZRA use among willing individuals.

Methods: The intervention development process aligned with the UK Medical Research Council's complex intervention framework.

Experiences with benzodiazepine use, tapering, and discontinuation: an Internet survey.

Background: Over 92 million prescriptions for benzodiazepines are dispensed in the United States annually, yet little is known about the experiences of those taking and discontinuing them.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the experiences of those taking, tapering, or having discontinued benzodiazepines.

Methods: An online survey ( = 1207) elicited information about benzodiazepine use, including long-term use, tapering, discontinuation, and withdrawal symptoms.