Benzos and beta blockers do they affect the ability to successfully habituate

Hi Dr Nagler,

I have been on both diazepam and beta blockers for the anxiety related to my tinnitus for 6 weeks now. However, I have heard that being on these medications could impair successful habituation, is this correct ? Or should I continue on these drugs for now and they will not interfere with the habituation process ??

 

Hi @Gill Hayes -

To the best of my knowledge beta blockers do not interfere with the habituation process. Benzodiazepines are another matter. Dr. Jastreboff feels very strongly that they do, but I have never seen any studies to that effect. I can tell you from personal experience that I myself would never have gotten through TRT without them - so if my success in habituating was delayed a bit, so be it!

In my opinion the single greatest factor interfering with the habituation process lies in not having a strategy. Perhaps start here:

https://www.tinnitustalk.com/threads/overcoming-obstacles-to-habituation.6886/

Dr. Stephen Nagler