All data must be read in conjunction with the survey limitations.
The rating that a respondent gave to each of the symptoms were averaged at each point in the benzo journey then an overall average for all respondents for each point in the benzo journey was calculated. The results are shown in the graph below. It can be seen that before taking benzodiazepines respondents gave their health a rating of 32 out of 100 indicating that they were not perfectly well. By the time they decided to taper their health had deteriorated and they were giving it an average rating of 49 out of 100 and at the worst time in their taper, health had again deteriorated, the average was 68. By the end of their taper people were seeing an improvement in how they were feeling.
Those who decided to stay on benzodiazepines rated their health at an average of 39 out of 100.
Note a average rating of 0 indicates that someone feels perfectly well on all the symptoms categories.
The graph below compares the average rating of the symptoms group at each point in the benzo journey for Jun 2007 and Dec 2009 . There has been little significant change.
The graph below shows the average rating for each symptoms group over all points in the benzo journey. The Psychiatric and Paradoxical Symptoms are the two that caused respondents the most problems. This was followed by the Muscular and Neurological group and then the Gastrointestinal and Cardiovascular group. Genitourinary, Respiratory and Dermatological caused the least problems.
The graph below compares the the average rating for each symptoms group over all points in the benzo journey for June 2007 and December 2009. There is little significant difference between the two sets of figures.
