As Prescribed

After enduring her own personal struggle with overwhelming side-effects, dismissive medical professionals, and tapering off Klonopin, Filmmaker and Massachusetts resident Holly Hardman was compelled to join and document the community working to raise awareness of benzodiazepine injury. She soon came across Boston-based survivor Geraldine Burns, who leads a grassroots army of "good patients" that helps other victims and is advocating for state-wide informed-consent legislation to address the over-prescription of these drugs. But Geraldine and her allies meet strong resistance from powerful forces, including pharmaceutical giants as well as a medical culture that has denied the problem for decades.

As Prescribed chronicles these efforts and documents those who struggle every day to put benzodiazepine use before them once and for all. Featuring intimate segments with people in the midst of struggle, as well as stories of success of wellness, the film is a rallying cry for patient-centered care.

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FILMMAKER'S STATEMENT: "I was prescribed Klonopin for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME) and took it after my doctor assured me that the medication was safe to take long-term. However, as tolerance developed insidiously, I began to develop strange symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues, unexplained pain, and rolling panic attacks while driving. My doctor never connected these adverse effects to Klonopin, a common oversight, as it turns out; and it was only when I began researching online that I was able to make the connection and create a tapering plan.

It took me almost two years to taper off completely, during which time I experienced hellish withdrawal symptoms like derealization, aphasia, and akathisia. Even though my own discontinuation experience was harrowing, I learned of others whose benzodiazepine experiences were far worse. Tragically, a disturbing number chose to die by suicide. It was then I knew the story needed to be told and done so from a survivor's point of view, and I knew early on that I would call the project As Prescribed. I am hoping that the film get the word out about the dangers of benzodiazepine misprescribing to doctors and patients alike, allowing would-be and current patients the truly informed consent that they deserve and that most are not currently receiving.

In making this film, it is not my intention to have benzodiazepines banned or taken away from those patients who might choose to take them even after learning of the risks. Undoubtedly, benzodiazepines are helpful for short-term use. But research does show that benzodiazepines disrupt neurotransmitter function in the nervous system. Fortunately, as many as 50% of those prescribed a benzodiazepine do not suffer their adverse effects. In the film, I am focusing on those who experience life-altering harm. As Prescribed is not an easy film to watch, but it is with awareness that we can make urgently needed change."