Anxiety triggered by drug withdrawal

[Valerie]

I became dependent on anxiety medication used for sleep. Withdrawal has been long and difficult. Most of symptoms are gone except insomnia, anxiety and tinnitus.  It's been three months (only used drug 6 weeks sporadically). I'm worried withdrawal is done and lasting symptoms will persist. I think the insomnia feeds into anxiety. I can't take any drugs to help but have counsellor next week. Can anxiety and insomnia be triggered by drug withdrawal? Other thoughts?

[Sophie_M]

Hi Valerie,

We're so glad to see you've taken this step of reaching out for support on our Forums, and we're sorry to see your difficulties with sleeping. It's great you're seeing your counsellor next week, and suggest checking in with your GP as well.

We have many members on the Forums with their lived experience with mental health conditions, and hopefully someone else is able to share their experiences of anxiety and insomnia after withdrawing from medication.  Sophie_M

[Scared]

Im not a doctor

But insomnia and worsening anxiety can be part of withdrawal and really need to speak with a doctor as you have not been on meds that long.

Tinitus as explained to me by a professional is the result of hearing loss on a high frequency meaning you can hear still but part of your hearing has suffered some loss.  And the ringing in your ear is your brain compensating for the loss.  Again the brain not helping 
I certainly would go back to your doctor about the Anxiety and insomnia as these things generally should pass 

But everyone withdraws differently and it is unique to you.

I just upped my meds on doctors advice and first night didnt sleep at all and Im used to this medication.

So it can be really dangerous to find answers online as everybodies experience is different and only a doctor can ever advise you. 
But anxiety is anxiety and you can talk here about how anxiety affects you.

Yes I do believe not sleeping can cause all sorts of problems and again it different for each person

See the doctor and tell them your symptoms for sure.

[Valerie]

Hi Scared

Thanks for the reply. Yes I agree medical advice is critical in these things and we are all different. I'm still hopeful that I will hear from someone who has issues from minimal drug use as it would make me feel less alone.

But I am progressing. If I don't hear from somebefore my recovery I will make sure to document my situation in case someone else like me is looking for related information. Our bodies are really complicated things!

[Annas1]

Hi Valerie,

Firstly, I'd like to recognise your courage and persistence in managing the process of coming off anxiety/sleeping medication. It is a journey I've been on and it is very challenging. The difficulty is twofold, as you have physical withdrawal symptoms (for me mainly stinging headaches) and no help with the anxiety/insomnia for which you took the medication originally. Super confronting.

I was taking anxiety medication for sleep for about a year before going through a very long withdrawal process. I can identify with the rebound anxiety and insomnia you've described, and know the distress and self-doubt this caused. I consider my navigation of this process a real achievement and despite the difficulty have learned more about my triggers and psychology.

My experience was that progress in reduction/withdrawal was not linear - sometimes i made significant, sustained reductions, but there was also a long period on the final taper. I think any physical symptoms resolved within a week of complete cessation. How proud of myself I was!

My sense is that you have not been physically dependent on the medication for long, and that you will continue to succeed in making a successful withdrawal with no long-term side effects. Have faith in yourself and check in with your gp if you are in need of support or reassurance around any symptoms. You will definitely get there.

The next phase of self-care will be focussed on managing insomnia and the anxiety it can cause. This continues to be a big theme for me and requires reflection on my triggers, prioritising a healthy lifestyle, support and acknowledgement from family and friends, and ongoing psychological/medical support.

And yes, our bodies and minds are both complicated!