Are you suffering from akathisia?

Have you or someone you know recently started, stopped or changed dosage of a medication?

Akathisia 101

MISSD is pleased to now offer Akathisia 101. The free, online one-hour continuing education course is open to all who want to better understand, identify and respond to akathisia. Akathisia 101 is approved by the National Association of Social Workers for 1 continuing education contact hour. Healthcare and crisis teams, patients, therapists, caregivers, doctors, first-responders, drug safety advocates and educators — everyone can benefit from akathisia awareness. Let's make Akathisia a household word.

Read our Brochure View our Akathisia Tip Sheet Take the Course

MISSD on YouTube

MISSD is proud to present our newest akathisia video, "Akathisia: In Their Own Words"

This educational video features firsthand experiences of people who suffered akathisia and family members who witnessed akathisia before their loved one's death. MISSD is grateful to all who help increase akathisia awareness. We present this video in memory of those who have suffered the pain and loss precipitated by akathisia.

Visit the MISSD Foundation YouTube channel for all of our latest content and interviews. Don't forget to subscribe!

Akathisia: What to look for

Are you or someone you know experiencing an increase in any of the following symptoms: anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, insomnia, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, or physical/inner restlessness, which have in turn caused suicidal thoughts or feelings?

Perhaps a friend or loved-one, shortly after starting, stopping, or changing dosage of medication, has engaged in strange, unusual or violent behavior, or without warning has even taken his/her own life.

You or your loved-one may be suffering from akathisia, an adverse side-effect of medications.

Did you know?

 

Contact

If medication-induced suicide or akathisia has affected your life – or you would simply like to learn more – we would love to hear from you. To send us your stories, articles, questions or comments, please drop us a line.

Akathisia is often a missed and/or misdiagnosed medication-induced disorder. We have great empathy for families who are in need of medical and/or legal advice. However, due to legal reasons, MISSD is unable to offer legal and/or medical advice. Additionally, MISSD is not a suicide hotline. Thank you for your understanding.

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MISSD
P.O. Box 10107
Chicago, Illinois 60610

MISSD is an awareness nonprofit and does not provide counseling or support services.

What is akathisia?

Akathisia is a disorder, induced as a side effect of medications (including SSRI's and antipsychotics), which can cause a person such intense inner restlessness that the sufferer is driven to violence and/or suicide.

Akathisia

Akathisia is a disorder, induced as a side effect of medications (including SSRI's and antipsychotics), which can cause a person to experience such intense inner restlessness that the sufferer is driven to violence and/or suicide. It has been said, "Death can be a welcome result." For reasons related to the strong political and lobbying power of pharmaceutical companies, akathisia is rarely explained as a possible side effect of medications, and medical professionals and the general public know very little of the existence of this disorder.

In fact, the drug lobby would like you to believe that akathisia is simply "restless leg syndrome." As a result, sufferers of akathisia, as well as the medical professionals with whom they consult, are not able to recognize the symptoms of akathisia and therefore take the steps necessary to stop it. This lack of knowledge has tragically resulted in akathisia sufferers taking their own lives, and leaving behind devastated loved ones.

MISSD is not anti-drug. We know that prescription drugs have been life-saving for so many individuals who struggle with mental health issues. We are for truth in disclosure, honesty in reporting and legitimate drug trials.

For more information, view our educational handout.

What should I do?

If you or a loved one is being treated with a medication, be aware of any increase in symptoms described, especially when the medication is started, stopped, or changed (in dose or type). If you are experiencing any increase in the symptoms described, call your doctor immediately. Akathisia can cause you to engage in dangerous and harmful activities, including suicide. If you feel the situation is urgent, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

According to the FDA:

Consideration should be given to changing the therapeutic regimen, including possibly discontinuing the medication in patients whose depression is persistently worse, or who are experiencing emergent suicidality or symptoms that might be precursors to worsening depression or suicidality, especially if these symptoms are severe, abrupt in onset, or were not part of the patient's presenting symptoms.

Stewart Dolin 1952-2010

About MISSD

Stewart Dolin had the perfect life. He was married to his high school sweetheart for 36 years. He was the father of two grown children with whom he had a very close and meaningful relationship. He was a senior partner of a large international law firm, managing hundreds of corporate lawyers. He enjoyed his work and derived satisfaction from cultivating relationships with his clients, as well as helping them achieve the results they desired. He enjoyed travel, skiing, dining, joking around with his family and friends and an occasional cigar. He was 57 years old, and high on life.

In the summer of 2010, Stewart developed some anxiety regarding work. He was prescribed Paxil (paroxetine), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor ("SSRI"). Stewart's prescription was filled with a generic version of Paxil, manufactured by Mylan. Within days, Stewart's anxiety became worse. He felt restless, had trouble sleeping, even asked his wife to listen to a meditation tape with him (hardly typical behavior). He kept saying, "I still feel so anxious."

On July 15, 2010, (six days after beginning the medication), following a regular lunch with a business associate, Stewart left his office and walked to a nearby train platform. A registered nurse who was also on the platform later reported seeing Stewart pacing back and forth and looking very agitated. As a train approached, Stewart took his own life. This happy, funny, loving, wealthy, dedicated husband and father who loved life left no note and no logical reason why he would suddenly want to end it all. Neither Paxil nor the generic version listed suicidal behavior as a potential side effect for men of Stewart's age.

We did not know it then, but Stewart was suffering from akathisia.

MISSD (The Medication-Induced Suicide Prevention and Education Foundation in Memory of Stewart Dolin) is a unique 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to honoring the memory of Stewart and other victims of akathisia by raising awareness and educating the public about the dangers of akathisia. MISSD aims to ensure that people suffering from akathisia's symptoms are accurately diagnosed so that needless deaths are prevented. A website, the creation of educational materials and support of conferences will help to raise awareness and knowledge of akathisia and medication-induced suicides. Again, we feel it's important to note that we are not anti-drug, and recognize that prescription drugs can be positive and life-saving for many individuals. We are for truth in disclosure, honesty in reporting and legitimate drug trials.

If this could happen to Stewart, then it could happen to anyone. MISSD will make a difference.

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