Akathisia

Akathisia (/æ.kə.ˈθɪ.si.ə/ a-kə-THI-see-ə) is a movement disorder. It makes a person feel inner restlessness, usually along with mental distress and/or being unable to sit still.

Symptoms

Usually, the legs are most prominently affected. People with akathisia may fidget, rock back and forth, or pace, while some may just have an uneasy feeling in their bodies.

In the most severe cases, people may refuse to take akathisia-causing medications; they might also have worsening psychiatric symptoms, and, because of this, aggression, violence, and/or suicidal thoughts.

Studies suggest that akathisia is also associated with threatening behaviour and physical aggression in mentally disordered patients. However, scientists have not found any systemic link between akathisia and suicidal or homicidal behavior.

Apart from these few low-quality studies, there is another more recent and better quality study (a systematic review from 2021). It concludes akathisia cannot be reliably linked to the presence of suicidal behavior in patients treated with antipsychotic medication.

Causes

Antipsychotic medications, particularly the first generation antipsychotics, are a leading cause. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, metoclopramide, and reserpine, may cause akathisia - though any medication that lists agitation as a side effect may trigger it. It may also occur upon stopping antipsychotics.

Effects

According to the Cleveland Clinic:

Akathisia is the most common movement disorder associated with [psychiatric] medication, particularly antipsychotic (neuroleptic) medications. Approximately 24% of people who have schizophrenia and are taking medication for it have chronic akathisia. In one study, akathisia rates were 39% in people taking clozapine and 45% among people taking first-generation antipsychotics (FGA).

This article contains a translation of Akathisia from es.wikipedia.

References