Suicide prevention programs that don’t ask about prescription drugs are turning a blind eye to iatrogenic harm and death. This excellent article shows how akathisia can be caused by one supposedly “harmless” prescription and then lead to years of a harmful prescribing cascade, misdiagnoses, and avoidable harm.

“There is a worrying lack of awareness among healthcare professionals about the side-effects.” Read the full article at https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-13336857/sectioned-tranquiliser-anxiety-triggered-frightening-psychosis-worst-ordeal-doctors.html and sign the petition at antidepressantrisks.org.

A recent RxISK.org article explores treatment-induced Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD). Improving our understanding of PPPD, which is associated with SSRIs, “may shed light on akathisia, a lethal ‘emotional’ effect” associated with SSRIs. In many cases dizziness coincided with suicidal agitation.”

If you think you might have PPPD, submit a report at RxISK.org to increase our understanding of PPPD and akathisia. For more information about PPPD, see https://rxisk.org/balancing-our-bodies-and-our-selves/ and the associated links included in the article.

Beth was prescribed Cipralex during a difficult time in her life but took it for over 4 years without any doctor reviewing the continued need. Soon she suffered akathisia and said she “started developing severe panic attacks, worsening anxiety and depression. I was also extremely emotionally numb and had no fear response.” Her doctors responded by increasing the drug dose which increased the severity of akathisia. Read more at https://www.antidepressantrisks.org/stolen-lives/bethany.