Prescribers and Patients Are Often Misinformed
MISSD founder, Wendy Dolin, explains how important it is that clinical drug trial data be transparent to better protect patients and prescribers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yUHcpRQYsU
UVA Article on Antidepressant Discontinuation Misses Critical Risks
A recent UVA article emphasizes that SSRIs are “very safe” and focuses largely on relapse and mild withdrawal. This framing overlooks serious risks, including akathisia.
Rapid or poorly managed tapering increases these risks, particularly without slow, individualized (hyperbolic) dose reductions. Yet these realities are not meaningfully addressed.
MISSD advocates for clear risk communication and patient-centered care. True safety requires:
- Recognition of akathisia during starting, stopping, or dose changes
- Careful, gradual tapering plans
- Education on warning signs such as restlessness, insomnia, terror, and new suicidality
Read the UVA article at: https://news.virginia.edu/content/when-it-safe-stop-taking-antidepressants.
New Akathisia Stories Podcast Remembers Stewart Dolin and MISSD’s Accomplishments
We’re remembering Stewart Dolin today, 16 years after his akathisia-induced death. In our latest podcast, MISSD founder Wendy Dolin and director, Jenna Sachman discuss how much MISSD has done since then to improve awareness and help ensure others are safer and better informed.
Stewart would be proud that MISSD has helped so many healthcare consumers, providers, and caregivers in the U.S. and abroad. Listen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKEIqw13AsA.
Singer’s Death Followed “Severe Reaction to Medication”
New details have emerged following the death of singer Lauren Bennett. Her father says she experienced a severe reaction to prescribed medication in the months before she died. While her cause of death has not been confirmed, her family’s account highlights the importance of recognizing serious adverse drug reactions—including akathisia—which can cause profound changes in thinking, mood and behavior.
Read the full article at: https://www.eonline.com/news/1433757/lauren-bennett-health-issues-before-death-dad-details-medication-reaction.
Former FDA Official Highlights Antidepressant-Related Suicide Risks
Dr. Marc Stone, former Deputy Director for Safety in the FDA’s Division of Psychiatry discusses evidence linking antidepressants to increased suicidality in younger individuals, identifying akathisia and agitation as key contributing factors. He also notes the heightened sensitivity and reduced impulse control in younger populations. MISSD has been raising awareness of these serious risks for 15 years.
This perspective reinforces longstanding concerns raised by MISSD and families and survivors: medication-induced risks, including akathisia, remain under-recognized and under-communicated. They are also not limited to ages 25 and under.
MISSD supports appropriate treatment but calls for:
- Clear, comprehensive risk disclosure
- Improved prescriber education on akathisia
- Careful monitoring during medication changes
Greater awareness can help prevent avoidable harm.
Read the full interview at: https://kevinmd.com/2026/07/a-former-fda-official-on-antidepressants-and-suicide-risk.html.
One-Hour Courses That Can Save Lives
Time matters when it comes to recognizing akathisia.
In this short video, MISSD founder Wendy Dolin and communications director, Kristina Kaiser, walk you through exactly how to access MISSD’s two free, one-hour courses—available to anyone, anywhere, at any time. Both courses offer a certificate of completion for those who want continuing education credit, and one course is NASW accredited.
If your organization offers in-service or “lunch & learn” training, these courses are an easy, meaningful way to help healthcare professionals, consumers, and caregivers better understand akathisia. Given that akathisia can precipitate self-harm, violence, and suicide, first responders and emergency personnel also need to learn more about akathisia.
One hour can save a life. Get started today.
Heads Up Vet Spotlights Risks for Suicide
We applaud the launch of Heads Up Vet, a coalition focused on addressing undiagnosed traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a significant but often missed contributor to veteran suicide. Research shows veterans with TBI have a substantially elevated risk, and initiatives that prioritize early community identification and connection to care are vital.
What most people are not aware of is that TBI’s increase the risk of akathisia. As an organization that has actively worked with veterans to highlight medication-induced harms, MISSD knows these issues frequently intersect. Veterans seeking help for TBI symptoms, concussive injuries, PTSD, or related mental health challenges are commonly prescribed medications such as SSRIs or other psychotropics. Many of these medications can also increase the risk of akathisia and suicidality.
We cover these risks in our free akathisia courses open to all at MISSD.LearnUpon.com/catalog. Prevention demands a full picture: addressing TBI, while also equipping veterans, families, and clinicians with knowledge of potential drug-induced suicidality. Read the full article at: https://www.military.com/veterans-health-care/a-coalition-is-targeting-the-link-to-veteran-suicide-that-most-miss.
New Akathisia Stories Episode: Cael Shares His PSSD Journey
New on Akathisia Stories: Cael shares his adverse experiences after being prescribed an SSRI for mild anxiety. His symptoms include emotional numbness, insomnia, withdrawal akathisia, and PSSD. Clear risk communication, awareness, education, and support are critically important to patient safety and informed decision making. Listen to learn more.
Increased Funding for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Should Require Mandatory Questions About Medication
$238.6 million for 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has been allocated specifically to “curb psychiatric overprescribing” and “drive deprescribing when clinically indicated.”
Yet 988’s official guidance lists counselors asking about safety, feelings, and social situation—but medication questions are NOT routine.
This gap needs fixing. If millions are being invested to address psychiatric medication overuse through 988, counselors MUST routinely screen for medications during every call. This is critical for:
✓ Assessing side effects that may contribute to crisis
✓ Identifying inappropriate prescriptions needing deprescribing
✓ Connecting callers to informed care about their treatment
MISSD offers courses two free akathisia courses open to anyone, anytime, anywhere. Equip yourself with the knowledge to understand a medication-induced disorder that can precipitate self-harm, violence, and suicide. Healthcare providers, consumers, and caregivers need accurate info to make informed decisions.
Explore our courses: MISSD.LearnUpon.com/catalog.
Akathisia and Med-Induced Suicide Prevention in the BMJ Again
Yet another BMJ rapid response highlights the continued failure to recognize medication adverse effects—including akathisia—as a preventable contributor to suicide risk.
MISSD Foundation’s BMJ submission is cited as an important resource for identifying these effects, yet this knowledge remains largely absent from frontline training and guidance.
While patient information leaflets warn of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, these risks are still too often overlooked in practice.
Recent developments—including the Prevention of Future Deaths report following Thomas Kingston’s death and the MHRA’s ongoing review—reinforce the urgency. Read the full Rapid Response at: https://www.bmj.com/content/393/bmj-2026-959881/rr.