Sudden discontinuation of sedatives or hypnotics leads to the development of withdrawal symptoms. A similar phenomenon occurs after discontinuation of antidepressants, but it is much milder, because these drugs are not as addictive as benzodiazepines. What are the withdrawal symptoms from psychotropic drugs?

Abstinence symptomsafter discontinuation of hypnotic, sedative or anxiolytic drugs appear when the patient limits the daily doses of the substances too quickly. This is especially true of the popular benzodiazepines, i.e. drugs with anxiolytic, hypnotic, relaxing and anticonvulsant properties. They show the greatest addictive potential, which makes it hardest for the body to regain physical and mental balance after discontinuing them.

What are the symptoms of withdrawal syndrome after stopping benzodiazepines and antidepressants?

Withdrawal symptoms from sedatives and hypnotics (benzodiazepines)

Benzodiazepines are the most popular group of drugs prescribed to people with anxiety disorders, suffering from insomnia and addiction to addictive substances (alcohol, drugs). They are also used to treat some types of epilepsy. They are very effective in relieving nervous tension - the patient, after starting the treatment, feels a marked reduction in current ailments almost overnight. However, benzodiazepines have a second, very dangerous face - they are quickly addictive. Taking them too long leads to the development of tolerance and the need to increase the daily doses to obtain the same therapeutic effect. Therefore, the suggested maximum duration of their use is 1-2 weeks for insomnia and 3-4 weeks for anxiety disorders. Prolonging the therapy and uncontrolled increase in doses almost always leads to the development of a strong addiction, which resembles a drug addiction.

The trade names of popular benzodiazepines are: Xanax, Afobam, Zomiren (active ingredient - alprazolam), Valium, Relanium (diazepam), Lorafen (lorazepam), Nitrazepam.

Due to the highly addictive properties of benzodiazepines, their withdrawal often causes a number of side effects. You canbreak them down into mental and physical symptoms.

Psychological symptoms of benzodiazepine withdrawal:

  • anxiety, anxiety and panic attacks,
  • irritability, tendency to irritation, aggression,
  • social phobias,
  • insomnia, nightmares and other sleep disorders,
  • memory and concentration impairment,
  • hallucinations, delusions,
  • paranoid thoughts, depersonalization.

Physical benzodiazepine withdrawal symptoms:

  • headaches and dizziness,
  • numbness in the limbs,
  • psychomotor agitation,
  • muscle spasms,
  • chills,
  • blurry and / or double vision,
  • dry and metallic taste in the mouth,
  • abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
  • tinnitus,
  • photosensitivity,
  • eating disorders,
  • increase in blood pressure and faster pulse,
  • blushes,
  • rashes and itchy skin.

Benzodiazepines should always be taken under medical supervision to minimize side effects . The specialist determines the so-called a withdrawal scenario that the patient must adhere to throughout the withdrawal process. It specifies when and how to reduce the dose to keep withdrawal symptoms as little as possible.

Worth knowing

Before the widespread use of benzodiazepines, the main group of sedatives and hypnotics werebarbiturates . Their popularity peaked in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and in later years they began to depart from them. The reason was that the addictive potential of barbiturates was even greater than that of benzodiazepines. In addition, these drugs induced euphoria, which meant that many people treated them as a drug substitute.

Barbiturates in most countries of the world have been removed from the drug lists. They can only be accessed illegally.

Withdrawal Symptoms After Antidepressant Drugs

Abstinence syndrome also occurs after the sudden discontinuation of antidepressants, but is not related to their addictive properties. Contrary to popular belief, modern antidepressants are not addictive. Nevertheless, their use is not indifferent to the body. Day-to-day discontinuation of antidepressants disturbs the level of neurotransmitters in the brain and leads to the appearance of withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, as in the case of benzodiazepines, antidepressants should be reduced very gradually under the supervision of a physician - this procedure largely allows you to minimize side effects.

Symptoms of withdrawal from antidepressants are:

  • wobblingemotional,
  • anxiety and irritability,
  • tearfulness,
  • irritable tendency,
  • headaches and dizziness,
  • abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
  • photosensitivity,
  • insomnia and nightmares,
  • flu-like symptoms: weakness, muscle aches, sweating, chills.

These symptoms last for about 3 weeks and disappear after restarting antidepressant treatment. If the patient decides not to continue therapy, there is a high risk of recurrence of depression.

Category:

Psychology