BZWS Symptoms
The following is a list of some of the symptoms experienced during withdrawal from benzodiazepines, as extracted from the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome page of Wikipedia and other sources. The symptoms experienced by any individual will vary greatly, as will the severity of those symptoms. For a more complete list of benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome symptoms, see the Ashton Manual. Benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms can be categorized into psychological, neurophysiologic, and somatic symptoms (see tables below).
- Akathisia
- Agitation and Anxiety, possible terror and panic attacks
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain
- Depersonalization
- Depression (can be severe), possible suicidal ideation
- Derealization (feelings of unreality)
- Dilated pupils
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Dysphoria
- Elevation in blood pressure
- Fatigue and weakness
- Gastrointestinal disturbance (including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting)
- Hearing disturbance
- Headache
- Hot and cold spells
- Hyperosmia
- Hypertension
- Hypnagogic hallucinations
- Hypochondriasis
- Increased sensitivity to touch
- Increased urinary frequency
- Insomnia
- Impaired memory and concentration
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Mild to moderate Aphasia
- Mood swings
- Muscular spasms, cramps, discomfort or fasciculations
- Nightmares
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Paraesthesia
- Paranoia
- Perspiration
- Photophobia
- Postural hypotension
- REM sleep rebound
- Restless legs syndrome
- Stiffness
- Taste and smell disturbances
- Tachycardia
- Tinnitus
- Tremor
Table 1: 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
Table 2: 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
Table 3: 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
Off-Label Use Problems
While some of the off-label uses of benzodiazepines appear to be effective, many common uses are ineffective. Several off-label uses for which benzodiazepines have been shown to be ineffective or to induce other serious problems are listed here.
