This page contains extensive excerpts from peer-reviewed literature as well as vital information that cannot be found in medical journals. This includes tips for diagnosing akathisia, the reasons it is often misdiagnosed as a functional neurological disorder, and about its dangerous subjective symptoms that can only be understood by those who have experienced it.
Thank you for your interest in learning more about akathisia from the Akathisia Alliance for Education and Research nonprofit organization. We have 500+ members, including physicians, scientists, nurses, college professors, and others from all walks of life who have experienced akathisia and are working together to help prevent others from suffering as we did.
Table of Contents
What is Akathisia? - In Brief
Although akathisia can occur in Parkinson’s disease, traumatic brain injury, and other neurological disorders, it is primarily a medication side effect or withdrawal syndrome. It most often occurs when starting, stopping, or adjusting dosages. The most frequent offenders are antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiemetics; however, it has been associated with many others. Akathisia is very common in benzodiazepine withdrawal, especially with rapid cessation after long-term use. It can also result from the withdrawal of opioids and drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines.
The "Serious Problem"
“Akathisia is generally underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which is a serious problem because it can lead to such adverse outcomes as exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, aggression, violence, and suicide” (Lohr, et al., 2015).1
Akathisia, Suicide, and Homicide
Akathisia was linked to homicide in 1978 and suicide in 1983, yet it remains “commonly overlooked or misdiagnosed by clinicians” today.2 Click on the titles below to read full-text PDFs.
Signs and Symptoms of Akathisia
“There are two sides to akathisia. One is outer restlessness that you can observe, but the other, much more important one, is an extraordinary state of terror inside a person” (Glenmullen, Akathisia Alliance, 2006).8
A symptom survey was completed by 107 registered members of the Akathisia Alliance who experienced the sudden onset of akathisia with the first dose of a medication, primarily metoclopramide (Reglan). Each symptom listed below was experienced by 48-98% of those surveyed:
• constant and intense physical restlessness (pacing, rocking, fidgeting, etc.)
• an overwhelming sense of terror (see video below)
• extreme agitation, impatience, and irritability
• racing thoughts with pressured speech
• suicidal and/or violent impulses
• monophobia
• agoraphobia
• subjective neurosensory symptoms such as electrical zaps or bugs crawling under the skin
• depersonalization-derealization
• insomnia
• hypersensitivity to light and sound
Please watch this 1.5-minute video to better understand the crucial difference between anxiety and the terror of akathisia.
Diagnosing Akathisia
“There is no definitely accepted definition of akathisia or agreement on the diagnostic features. In its typical form, there are two components, which are subjective and objective…. There is no consensus about whether both of these elements are necessary for diagnosis and to what extent they have to be present” (Donaldson, et al., 2012).9
Why is akathisia "generally underdiagnosed"?
As evident among the 500+ registered members of the Akathisia Alliance, akathisia is often incorrectly ruled out for the following reasons.
The patient does not exhibit excessive movements.
As noted below, patients with akathisia can present without signs of a movement disorder:
• “Akathisia is usually grouped with movement disorders. Yet, it can present as a purely subjective clinical complaint without overt movement abnormalities” (Lohr, et al., 2015).10
• “The syndrome of akathisia is perhaps the least understood and appreciated side effect of neuroleptic therapy. Because it is primarily an internal sensation, which may not present with any externally visible manifestation, the clinician must be certain to question the patient before ruling out its presence” (Schulte, 1985).11
• “In the milder cases, only the subjective report may be present, at least on a brief examination, and only prolonged observation will reveal any motor disorder” (Sachdev, 2004).12
The patient has not taken a medication "known to cause akathisia."
Given that akathisia has been under-diagnosed and under-reported for decades, the current medical literature cannot be a reliable reference. It is, therefore, very possible that there are cases of akathisia due to many medications, supplements, chemicals, and medical conditions that have not been published.
The medication is "out of your system."
Drug-induced akathisia can persist for many years following discontinuation of the medication that caused it, as noted in this excerpt from a study published in 1989 (Burke, et al.):13
In recent years, there has been increasing recognition that akathisia occurs not only as an acute, self-limited complication of dopamine (DA) antagonist treatment, but also as a persistent form called tardive akathisia…. In the 26 patients who were able to discontinue DA antagonists, akathisia persisted for years (mean = 2.7 years, range of 0.3-7 years) until abatement of symptoms or last follow-up.
Why is akathisia so often misdiagnosed as a functional neurological disorder?
It is well-known in the support groups that, at least in the milder cases, akathisia is most often misdiagnosed by Neurology as a functional neurological /functional movement disorder (FND/FMD).
Please note that the following “rule-in” signs of FND/FMD on clinical assessment are also positive features of akathisia.
The movements of akathisia decrease with distraction.
Motor symptoms appear to be in response to sensory symptoms and decrease with distraction (Factor, 2017).14
The movements of akathisia are suppressible.
Except for the most severe cases, patients are able to voluntarily suppress the movements at least for short periods (Sachdev, 2004).15
The movements of akathisia are variable.
Another feature of the movements is their marked variability over time (Sachdev, 2004).16
Akathisia and the “whack-a-mole” sign
In 2015, Park et al., introduced an FMD assessment technique they refer to as a “whack-a-mole” sign.17
They state:
In this phenomenon, movement suppression of one body part is followed by immediate reemergence of movement in another. We propose that this phenomenon be referred to as the “whack‐a‐mole” sign. This name is derived from the arcade game whack‐a‐mole, in which a mole, when hit into its original hole, re‐emerges elsewhere.
The whack-a-mole sign will be positive in patients with akathisia as the movements are variable, but the compulsion to move remains constant. Therefore, suppression of movement in one body part will necessitate movement of another.
Akathisia and the functional gait assessment
A “rule-in” sign of a functional gait disorder was reported by Nonnekes, et al. (2020)18:
A commonly observed inconsistency in patients with functional gait disorders resembling ataxia is balance control that is actually much better than what is perceived by the patient. During straight walking, patients may seek support of chairs, doorposts, or walls, but do not actually fall even when such support is absent.
As demonstrated in this video, akathisia cannot be ruled out based upon the gait disorder assessment described above. A specific difficulty with tandem gait was reported by 24 out of 28 patients (85%) with akathisia that was not present when supported, as demonstrated in the video below (1.54 minutes). None of the patients reported falling, though they were instructed to abort the test if a fall was imminent.
Akathisia vs. Health Anxiety, Functional Neurological, and Factitious Disorders
Patients with symptoms severe enough to cause suicidality may easily meet diagnostic criteria for health anxiety, functional neurological and factitious disorders until they find a doctor who recognizes their akathisia. They will appear to have disproportionate and persistent thoughts about the seriousness of their symptoms, have a persistently high level of anxiety about their symptoms, and spend excessive time devoted to these symptoms. They will do their own research, know the correct medical terms, be eager to have numerous tests performed, and have a history of visiting many doctors and hospitals while searching for an accurate diagnosis.
Akathisia and Drug-Induced Parkinsonism
A strong link between akathisia and parkinsonism has been established. Van Putten reported that 59% of people with drug-induced akathisia have concomitant drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) (1975),19 and a study published in 1987 indicated that 68% of people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease also experience akathisia at some point during the course of their disease (Lang & Johnson).20 Therefore, assessing for drug-induced parkinsonism could aid in diagnosing akathisia.
Given that akathisia is often misdiagnosed as FND, and DIP commonly accompanies akathisia, it is possible that many cases of DIP are misdiagnosed as FND as well. According to Shin and Chung (2012)21:
Drug-induced parkinsonism is likely the most common drug-induced movement disorder…. Any medication that interferes with dopamine transmission may cause [it]…. The exact prevalence of drug-induced parkinsonism is unclear because the symptoms are often under-recognized and misdiagnosed, even by neurologists.
Clinical Assessment
From “Acute and Tardive Drug-Induced Akathisia” by Perminder Sachdev, MD, PhD, FRANZCP (2004):22
There is no consensus regarding which movements, if any, are characteristic of akathisia. In our study, the features that best discriminated akathisia from non-akathisia were: i) shifting weight from foot to foot, or walking on the spot, ii) inability to keep legs still (subjectively), iii) feelings of inner restlessness, and iv) shifting of body position in the chair. However, these features are not present in every patient, and in the milder cases, only the subjective report may be present, at least on a brief examination, and only prolonged observation will reveal any motor disorder. Voluntary movements and effortful tasks tend to reduce the movements of akathisia. The majority of the patients report that akathisic movements are voluntary and in response to subjective distress. Except for the most severe cases, patients are able to voluntarily suppress the movements at least for short periods. A few patients manifest myoclonic jerks of the legs and toes, but these are not prominent features. Tremor of the extremities is not uncommonly associated, and this may be regarded as the co-occurrence of drug-induced parkinsonism. Another feature of the movements is their marked variability over time, and their usual disappearance during sleep.
"The Clinical Challenges of Akathisia"
Additional information about akathisia such as the history, pathophysiology, and treatment, can be found in "The Clinical Challenges of Akathisia" by Lohr, et al. (2015). See references at the end of this page for additional recommended reading.
Medications that can cause or worsen akathisia
References
1. Lohr, J. B., Eidt, C.A., Abdulrazzaq Alfaraj, A., Soliman, M.A. The clinical challenges of akathisia. CNS Spectr. 2015 Dec;20 Suppl 1:1-14; quiz 15-6. doi: 10.1017/S1092852915000838. PMID: 26683525.
2. Demir, B., Sancaktar, M., & Altindag, A. (2021). Lithium-Induced Treatment-Resistant Akathisia: A Case Report and Literature Overview. Clinical neuropharmacology, 44(3), 112–113. https://doi.org/10.1097/WNF.0000000000000453
3. Keckich, W. A. (1978). Neuroleptics. Violence as a manifestation of akathisia. JAMA, 240(20), 2185. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.240.20.2185
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5. Schulte, J. L. (1985). Homicide and suicide associated with akathisia and haloperidol. American Journal of Forensic Psychiatry, 6(2), 3–7. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/362208
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8. Akathisia Alliance for Education and Research. (2019, August 26). Akathisia is Torture [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6eix3cdwoU
9. Donaldson, Ivan, and others, ‘Akathisia’, Marsden’s Book of Movement Disorders (Oxford, 2012; online edn, Oxford Academic, 1 Jan. 2012), https://doi.org/10.1093/med/9780192619112.003.1130, accessed 1 Mar. 2024
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18. Nonnekes, J., Růžička, E., Serranová, T., Reich, S. G., Bloem, B. R., & Hallett, M. (2020). Functional gait disorders: A sign-based approach. Neurology, 94(24), 1093–1099. https://doi.org/10.1212/WNL.0000000000009649
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