When akathisia is induced by drugs, it is known as antipsychotic-induced acute akathisia (AIAA).
This article discusses the symptoms and different types of akathisia.
It also explores why it happens, how it is diagnosed, and treatments that can help people cope.
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This is sometimes referred to aspsychomotor agitation.
Your body may feel anxious at the thought of sitting down.
If you suspect akathisia, its important to see your doctor to get an official diagnosis.
Do not stop taking medication on your own.
Your doctor may also fill out the Barnes Akathisia-Rating Scale to assess the severity of your symptoms.
This tool can also be used to track your progress during treatment.
Conditions With Similar Symptoms
Akathisia has some similarities to other conditions, including anxiety and tardive dyskinesia.
While these conditions may have overlapping symptoms, they are not the same.
Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary movements of the face, fingers, or extremities.
Like akathisia, it is a side effect of antipsychotic medications.
These movements are involuntary, whereas akathisia involves an internal feeling of restlessness.
The two conditions can also occur together.
Recap
A doctor will observe symptoms to make a diagnosis.
Because akathisia can resemble other conditions, it is sometimes misdiagnosed as anxiety or agitation.
Some believe it is sparked by a chemical imbalance triggered by the medication.
It overstimulates areas of the brain, potentially resulting in the compulsion to move.
It’s important to note that all antipsychotic drugs carry with them the risk of causing akathisia.
In these instances, intensedysphoriais often observed as well.
However, modifying your mediation may also cause symptoms to worsen, or cause withdrawal akathisia.
Akathisia often goes away after lowering the dosage of the medication.
It may take several weeks or months for symptoms to resolve.
The condition is also linked to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.
If you are having suicidal thoughts, contact theNational Suicide Prevention Lifelineat988for support and assistance from a trained counselor.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
Coping With Akathisia
An important part of coping with akathisia is managing your medication.
If you experience any symptoms of akathisia, share the record with your healthcare provider.
While your prescribing doctor should have your medication history, they may not have it in a compact form.
Consider joining an online support group of others who understand what you’re going through.
Prevention
Doctors and researchers do not yet fully understand the exact reasons why certain medications cause akathisia.
Your doctor may then increase your dose gradually.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.5th ed.
2015;14(1):14-18.
Barnes TR.The Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale–revisited.J Psychopharmacol(Oxford).
