Withdrawal Symptoms

Symptoms in benzodiazepine withdrawal can be intense, confusing, and constantly changing. This is because your nervous system is in recalibration mode. The “brakes” (GABA) are weakened, the “gas” (glutamate) is more active, and the Bear (your limbic survival system) is on high alert.

Benzodiazepines dampen the brain’s natural threat response over time. When that chemical support is removed, the nervous system doesn’t simply “return to normal” overnight. It becomes hyper-vigilant, dysregulated, and even sensitized.  

We must remember that the Bear’s job is to keep you alive, so it begins scanning for danger in your body, your thoughts, and your environment. Many withdrawal symptoms are not signs of harm. They are expressions of survival intelligence trying to protect you while your brain learns to regulate itself again.

Symptoms fall into a few major clusters:

⚡ Hyperarousal / Autonomic Symptoms

(Too much gas, not enough brakes — the fight/flight system firing constantly)

• Anxiety, fear surges, panic attacks

• Racing heart, palpitations

• Sweating, hot/cold flashes

• Insomnia, early waking

• Restlessness, inability to sit still

• Exaggerated startle response

• Feeling “revved up” or wired

🩻 Physical / Somatic Symptoms

(The body carrying the imbalance)

• Muscle tension, spasms, tremors, twitches

• Burning, tingling, prickling skin (paresthesias)

• Head pressure, headaches, migraines

• Stiff neck, jaw clenching, teeth grinding

• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)

• Vision disturbances: blurred vision, floaters, light sensitivity

• GI issues: nausea, bloating, diarrhea/constipation

• Appetite changes, weight loss/gain

• Temperature sensitivity (feeling too hot/cold)

• Chronic pain flares

🧠 Cognitive / Perceptual Symptoms

(When the nervous system misfires in how it processes information and reality)

Brain fog, poor concentration

• Short-term memory lapses

• Word-finding difficulty

• Depersonalization (feeling detached from self)

• Derealization (world feels unreal or dreamlike)

• Intrusive thoughts, racing thoughts

• Difficulty multitasking

• Time distortion (days feel too long/short)

💔 Emotional / Mood Symptoms

(Bear echoes + altered limbic circuits)

• Sudden waves of fear, grief, or rage

• Irritability, mood swings

• Depression or flat mood

• Hopelessness, feelings of doom

• Guilt, shame, self-blame

• Emotional blunting or numbness

• Crying spells, emotional flooding

👂 Sensory / Motor Symptoms

(When sensory processing systems are hyper-sensitive)

• Noise sensitivity (hyperacusis)

• Light sensitivity (photophobia)

• Heightened sense of smell or taste

• Skin crawling, formication (feeling of bugs on skin)

• Tremors, balance issues, dizziness/vertigo

• Clumsiness, coordination problems

😴 Sleep Symptoms

(One of the hallmark areas of withdrawal)

• Difficulty falling asleep

• Waking in the night or early morning

• Vivid dreams, nightmares

• Non-restorative sleep (wake up exhausted)

• Sleep paralysis (rare, but reported)

🫀 Other Autonomic/Body Regulation Symptoms

• Blood pressure spikes/drops

• Temperature dysregulation (sweats, chills)

• Hormonal fluctuations

• Increased urination or bladder sensitivity

• Adrenaline surges (“cortisol mornings”)