EPIDEMIA SILENCIOSA O USO INDISCRIMINADO DE PSICOFARMACOS E BENZODIAZEPINICOS E SEUS IMPACTOS NA SAUDE MENTAL E SOCIAL

Abstract

The silent epidemic of indiscriminate use of psychotropic drugs and benzodiazepines is turning anxiety into a business and instant relief into a collective threat. This study addresses the trivialization and abusive use of these substances in municipalities of Western Cariri (Monteiro and Serra Branca), investigating the biopsychosocial impacts of increasing consumption. Given the high prevalence of anxiety disorders and the chemical and physical dependence associated with benzodiazepines (BZDs), this research sought to understand consumption patterns and the repercussions of pharmacologization. The descriptive, quantitative study analyzed reports from the Farmácia Popular program from January 2024 to May 2025, complemented by a thorough bibliographic review. The results indicate that psychotropic drugs accounted for 10.88% of all dispensed medications, with a significant prevalence of antidepressants and anxiolytics. Beyond being merely statistical, these data reveal deficiencies in regional primary care, reinforce the culture of medicalization, and warn of the risks of care focused exclusively on prescription. By exploring the factors that perpetuate this reality—from rushed clinical practice to a lack of public information—the research highlights a critical public health problem. This analysis goes beyond statistical dimensions and invites us to confront the dilemma: are we medicating pain, or merely silencing what it reveals?