Akathisia isn’t as rare as drug companies lead patients and doctors to believe —and it can occur after stopping a medication.

In this podcast clip from Akathisia Stories, Kristina discusses how stopping or sharply reducing a drug associated with akathisia can also trigger the disorder.

Visit MISSD’s YouTube channel for more video shorts, podcasts, and public health videos to learn more about akathisia. Awareness and accurate info can help save a life.

Patients and families deserve clear, accessible information about medication risks. Today the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has announced new measures to strengthen communication about antidepressant risks. They include the risks of suicidal thoughts and behaviors and sexual dysfunction that may persist even after treatment ends.

The measures include a boxed warning in patient information leaflets, a new patient safety card, and updated wording about persistent sexual side effects for certain antidepressants. An additional safety leaflet explaining benefits, risks, and alternatives is planned for 2027.

These measures address existing risks—not newly discovered ones. For MISSD, they underscore why fully informed consent and listening to patients’ experiences matter.

Read the MHRA announcement at: https://www.gov.uk/drug-safety-update/antidepressants-new-safety-measures-for-all-patients-to-improve-communication-of-the-risk-of-suicidal-thoughts-and-behaviours-and-persistent-sexual-dysfunction.

Your generosity helped MISSD bring akathisia education and awareness to more people in more places. Explore our 2026 highlights and see how you can help continue this vital work in 2027.

A recent Psychiatric Times review examines medications used to reduce suicide risk. It also calls for closer monitoring around medication changes. But it does not discuss akathisia or medication-induced suicidality.

That omission matters. Akathisia is a medication-induced neuropsychiatric disorder that is often mistaken for anxiety or another DSM-labeled disorder.

MISSD’s message is not that medications never help. It is that a sudden crisis calls for a careful look at what changed—including medications. If someone develops severe restlessness, agitation, or suicidal thoughts after starting, stopping, or changing a medication or dose, akathisia must be considered and should be assessed.

Prescribers and consumers need to ask the question that could change the response: Could this be akathisia?

A new New York Times article reports that the Department of Veterans Affairs is expanding informed-consent requirements for medications marketed for psychiatric use.

Beginning in 2027, the VA will require additional patient education about medication risks, benefits, alternatives, and safe discontinuation. Veterans under 30 who are prescribed antidepressants will also be required to provide signed consent.

The FDA’s boxed warning for antidepressants identifies increased suicidality risk in children, adolescents, and young adults through age 24. But akathisia does not discriminate based on age.

Akathisia is a medication-induced disorder that can affect anyone. It can occur when starting, stopping, or changing the dose or type of certain medications and can precipitate self-harm, violence, and suicide.

Patients and families deserve clear information about medication risks and what changes to watch for.

Read the full article at: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/28/science/veterans-psychiatric-drugs-consent.html?unlocked_article_code=1.E1E.9Dzk.tgZPJ7Wa5Hho.

What’s on your medication list? A new study found that potentially serious drug interactions were still flagged for more than one in five older adults. Drugs marketed as antidepressants were frequently involved.

Medication safety starts with knowing what you’re taking—and asking questions when something changes. Bring a complete list of meds, over-the-counter and prescription, and supplements to your next medication review.

Read the article at: https://www.medpagetoday.com/geriatrics/generalgeriatrics/123135.

Ten years ago, we designated September 20th as International Akathisia Awareness Day (IAAD).

Thanks to all who share our safe-patient videos, akathisia podcasts, and courses, it’s become an annual day of remembrance, recognition, and hope that is now globally recognized. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/S1Av317Yjj4

During Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month, MISSD invites you to watch and share our new video explaining why akathisia awareness is essential to patient safety and medication-induced suicide prevention.

Akathisia is a serious, medication-induced disorder that is too often missed, misunderstood, or mistaken for another condition. Greater awareness can help patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals recognize the warning signs and take informed action. MISSD established International Akathisia Awareness Day on September 20, 2016, to increase public understanding of akathisia, reduce avoidable suffering, and save lives. Ten years later, IAAD has received global recognition, which makes us proud.

Please watch the video, share it with someone who needs to see it, take our free courses, and consider making a donation at MISSD.co to help continue this essential work.

As Lisa points out in our latest Akathisia Stories podcast, symptoms can be long lasting. Her experience is not unique; many akathisia sufferers have contacted MISSD to share similar reports. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuMHy4cLoV0

A recent Psychiatric Times commentary attempts to challenge ten claims about antidepressants, including concerns about suicide risk. The authors discuss differences among antidepressants, modest average trial effects, discontinuation symptoms, and population-level suicide data.

But an essential safety issue is missing from the discussion: medication-induced akathisia. This is particularly disappointing given that September is Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.

MISSD supports safe, informed use of prescription drugs. That means honest disclosure of potential risks, careful monitoring during medication changes, and prompt attention to new or worsening agitation, restlessness, insomnia, or suicidal thinking.

Patients and families deserve complete information. Naming akathisia can help ensure it is recognized before it is too late. Read the full article at https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/debunking-the-top-10-misleading-claims-about-antidepressants.