A person who has become addicted to nicotine may undergo withdrawal symptoms if nicotine intake is stopped or curtailed. The American Psychiatric Association has published 4 criteria which can be used for making the diagnosis of nicotine withdrawal.
(1) Nicotine has been used daily for at least several weeks.
(2) There is abrupt cessation of nicotine use, or reduction in the amount of nicotine used, followed within 24 hours by 4 or more of the following (8) symptoms:
(2a) dysphoric or depressed mood
(2b) insomnia
(2c) irritability, frustration, anger
(2d) anxiety
(2e) difficulty in concentrating
(2f) restlessness
(2g) decreased heart rate
(2h) increased appetite or weight gain
(3) The symptoms cause clinically important distress or impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning.
(4) The symptoms are not due to a general medical condition and are not better accounted by another mental disorder.
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