Can Lorazepam Inhibit the Habituation Process?

Dear Dr. Nagler,

I got tinnitus July 2014, within a few weeks I was highly overstrung and had a complete meltdown/ burnout. To cut a long story short: I ended up on anti-depressant Citalopram, sleeping midication zopiclon and Lorazepam for during the day to relax me. Like many tinnitus sufferers, the first weeks were a sheer nightmare but gradually I have got a grip on myself again. Soon I will be a year down the road, a year which has changed my outlook on existance completely. My nerves started to settle down and I've been tapering off the Lorazepam and zopiclon, but it has to be done gradually. The tinnitus 'feels'/ 'sounds' just as bad and irritating as in the beginning. I was wondering whether or not using a 'relaxant' like lorazepam inhibits the habituation process?

Thanks,
B-@art

 

Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine anxiolytic. In theory all benzodiazepines can to some extent of other inhibit habituation. I stress the "in theory" part because I am unaware of any reliable and verifiable controlled studies conclusively demonstrating that to be the case. I would also point out that inhibit does not necessarily mean prevent.

Hope this helps.

Dr. Stephen Nagler