Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptoms

Below are several symptoms commonly encountered during the withdrawal process from benzodiazepines. This compilation is derived from The Alliance for Benzodiazepine Best Practices and other reputable sources.

The symptoms experienced during benzodiazepine withdrawal can be classified into psychological, neurophysiological, and somatic categories. Please refer to the tables below for a detailed breakdown of these symptoms.

Selected Psychological Withdrawal Symptoms

Anxiety states
Agoraphobia
Aggressive behavior / Homicidal ideation / Rage / Violence
Agitation / Irritability / Restlessness
Anhedonia / Blunted emotions
Craving
Delusions / Illusions / Hallucinations
Depersonalization / Derealization
Depression / Sadness / Suicidality
Excitability
Hallucinations
Hypochondriasis
Mania
Mood swings
Obsessions
Paranoia / Feelings of persecutions
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Psychosis

Selected Neurophysiologic Withdrawal Symptoms

Altered level of consciousness
Auditory loss / Hyperacusis / Tinnitus
Cutaneous sensory alterations
Dizziness / Lightheadedness
Dyscognition
Muscular / Neuromuscular symptoms
Pain – Ache / Neuropathic / Local or diffuse
Sense of motion
Sexual dysfunction
Sleep problems
Smell alterations
Speech alterations
Taste alterations
Visual alterations

Selected Somatic Withdrawal Symptoms

Cardiovascular: Flushing / Palpitations / Tachycardia / BP ↑ or ↓
Appetite increase / Weight gain
Appetite decrease / Weight loss
Breast engorgement
Dry mouth / Thirst
Menstrual abnormalities
Fatigue / Malaise
Food intolerance
GI: Gas / Constipation / Diarrhea / Dysphagia / Nausea / Vomiting
Hyperventilation / Dyspnea
Urinary: Frequency / Incontinence / Polyuria

For a more comprehensive list of symptoms, you can refer to Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC). The list of detailed symptoms was compiled by incorporating existing symptom lists and gathering valuable insights from individuals who have personally experienced and endured benzodiazepine withdrawal syndromes.