Editing Paradoxical reaction (section)

===Benzodiazepines===
[[Benzodiazepine]]s, a class of psychoactive drugs called the "minor" [[tranquilizer]]s, have varying [[hypnotic]], [[sedative]], [[anxiolytic]], [[anticonvulsant]], and [[muscle relaxant|muscle relaxing]] properties, but they may create the exact opposite effects. Susceptible individuals may respond to benzodiazepine treatment with an increase in [[anxiety]], [[aggressiveness]], [[psychomotor agitation|agitation]], [[confusion]], [[paradoxical disinhibition|disinhibition]], loss of [[impulse control]], [[talkativeness]], [[violent]] behavior, and even [[convulsions]]. Paradoxical adverse effects may even lead to [[criminal behavior]].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Bramness JG, Skurtveit S, Mørland J | title = Flunitrazepam: psychomotor impairment, agitation and paradoxical reactions | journal = Forensic Science International | volume = 159 | issue = 2–3 | pages = 83–91 | date = June 2006 | pmid = 16087304 | doi = 10.1016/j.forsciint.2005.06.009 }}</ref> Severe behavioral changes resulting from benzodiazepines have been reported including [[mania]], [[hypomania]], [[psychosis]], anger and impulsivity.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Cole JO, Kando JC | title = Adverse behavioral events reported in patients taking alprazolam and other benzodiazepines | journal = The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry | volume = 54 | issue = Suppl | pages = 49–61; discussion 62–3 | date = October 1993 | pmid = 8262890 }}</ref>

Paradoxical rage reactions due to benzodiazepines occur as a result of an altered level of consciousness, which generates [[automatic behaviors]], [[anterograde amnesia]] and uninhibited aggression. These aggressive reactions may be caused by a disinhibiting [[Serotonin|serotonergic]] mechanism.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Senninger JL, Laxenaire M | title = [Violent paradoxal reactions secondary to the use of benzodiazepines] | language = fr | journal = Annales médico-psychologiques | volume = 153 | issue = 4 | pages = 278–81; discussion 281–2 | date = April 1995 | pmid = 7618826 | trans-title = Violent paradoxical reactions secondary to the use of benzodiazepines }}</ref>

Paradoxical effects of benzodiazepines appear to be dose-related, that is, likelier to occur with higher doses.<ref name="pmid15460178">{{cite journal | vauthors = Mancuso CE, Tanzi MG, Gabay M | title = Paradoxical reactions to benzodiazepines: literature review and treatment options | journal = Pharmacotherapy | volume = 24 | issue = 9 | pages = 1177–85 | date = September 2004 | pmid = 15460178 | doi = 10.1592/phco.24.13.1177.38089 | s2cid = 38614605 | url = http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/489358 | access-date = 2007-04-18 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121213142837/http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/489358 | archive-date = 2012-12-13 | url-access = subscription }}</ref>

In a letter to the ''[[British Medical Journal]]'', it was reported that a high proportion of parents referred for actual or threatened [[child abuse]] were taking medication at the time, often a combination of [[benzodiazepines]] and [[tricyclic antidepressants]]. Many mothers described that instead of feeling less anxious or depressed, they became more hostile and openly aggressive towards the child as well as to other family members while consuming tranquilizers. The author warned that environmental or social stresses such as difficulty coping with a crying baby combined with the effects of tranquilizers may precipitate a child abuse event.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors =  | title = Letter: Tranquilizers causing aggression | journal = British Medical Journal | volume = 1 | issue = 5952 | pages = 266 | date = February 1975 | pmid = 234269 | pmc = 1672080 | doi = 10.1136/bmj.1.5952.266 }}</ref>

[[Self-harm|Self-aggression]] has been reported and also demonstrated in laboratory conditions in a clinical study. Diazepam was found to increase people's willingness to harm themselves.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Berman ME, Jones GD, McCloskey MS | title = The effects of diazepam on human self-aggressive behavior | journal = Psychopharmacology | volume = 178 | issue = 1 | pages = 100–6 | date = February 2005 | pmid = 15316710 | doi = 10.1007/s00213-004-1966-8 | s2cid = 20629702 }}</ref>

Benzodiazepines can sometimes cause a paradoxical worsening of [[EEG]] readings in patients with seizure disorders.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Perlwitz R, Grimmberger E, Schmidtsdorf R | title = [Immediate effect of intravenous clonazepam on the EEG] | journal = Psychiatrie, Neurologie, und Medizinische Psychologie | volume = 32 | issue = 6 | pages = 338–44 | date = June 1980 | pmid = 7403357 }}</ref>