User:Mr. Ibrahem/Akathisia

Akathisia is a movement disorder characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness accompanied by mental distress and an inability to stay still. Usually, the legs are most prominently affected. Those affected may fidget, rock back and forth, or pace, while some may just have an uneasy feeling in their body. The most severe cases may result in aggression, violence or suicidal thoughts.

Antipsychotics, particularly the first generation antipsychotics, are a leading cause. Other causes may include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, metoclopramide, reserpine, Parkinson’s disease, and untreated schizophrenia. It may also occur upon stopping antipsychotics. The underlying mechanism is believed to involve dopamine. Diagnosis is based on the symptoms. It differs from restless leg syndrome in that akathisia is not associated with sleeping.

Treatment may include switching to an antipsychotic with a lower risk of the condition. The antidepressant mirtazapine has demonstrated benefit, and there is tentative evidence of benefit for diphenhydramine, trazodone, benzatropine and beta blockers. Vitamin B6 or correcting iron deficiency may also be useful. Around half of people on antipsychotics develop the condition. The term was first used by Czech neuropsychiatrist Ladislav Haškovec, who described the phenomenon in 1901. It is from Greek a-, meaning "not", and καθίζειν kathízein, meaning "to sit", or in other words an "inability to sit".