People with anxiety problems, including panic disorder, agoraphobia, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), social anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are often prescribed benzodiazepine medication; for example, diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), alprazolam (Xanax), or clonazepam (Klonopin), to help them cope with severe anxiety in the short term.

While these medications can be useful in the short-term treatment of acute anxiety, the regular use of these medications at higher doses in the long term can lead to problems with addiction, withdrawal and rebound anxiety.