Symptoms can sometimes come and go with wave-like re-occurrences or fluctuations in severity of symptoms. Common symptoms include impaired cognition, irritability, depressed mood, and anxiety, and can lead to relapse. PAWS as a result of
benzodiazepines,
opioids, and
alcohol in particular can produce symptoms identical to generalized anxiety disorder as well as panic disorder. Due to the sometimes prolonged nature and severity these withdrawals, abrupt sobriety from these substances is not advised. Some symptoms of PAWS include: •
Psychosocial dysfunction •
Anhedonia •
Depression • Impaired
interpersonal skills •
Obsessive-compulsive behaviour • Feelings of guilt •
Autonomic disturbances •
Pessimistic thoughts • Impaired
attentional control • Lack of initiative •
Craving • Inability to think clearly • Memory problems • Emotional overreactions or numbness •
Sleep disturbances • Extreme fatigue • Physical
coordination problems • Stress sensitivity • Increased sensitivity to pain •
Panic disorder Another case report noted a similar phenomenon in a female patient who abruptly reduced her diazepam dosage from 30 mg to 5 mg per day. She developed electric shock sensations,
depersonalization,
anxiety,
dizziness, left temporal lobe EEG spiking activity,
hallucinations, visual perceptual and sensory distortions which persisted for years. A clinical trial of patients taking the benzodiazepine alprazolam (
Xanax) for eight weeks triggered protracted symptoms of memory deficits which were still present after up to eight weeks post cessation of alprazolam.
Dopamine agonist protracted withdrawal After long-term use of
dopamine agonists, a
withdrawal syndrome may occur during dose reduction or discontinuation with the following possible side effects: anxiety, panic attacks,
dysphoria, depression, agitation, irritability, suicidal ideation, fatigue,
orthostatic hypotension, nausea, vomiting,
diaphoresis, generalized pain, and drug cravings. For some individuals, these withdrawal symptoms are short-lived and make a full recovery, for others a protracted withdrawal syndrome may occur with withdrawal symptoms persisting for months or years. ==Cause==