A recent report highlights a growing concern: many older adults are remaining on antidepressants for decades without regular review. In the UK, more than one in five adults over 65 now take these medications—double the rate from 20 years ago. Experts warn that prolonged use in older age can increase risks, including falls, memory problems, sexual dysfunction, and agitation. The report also describes withdrawal symptoms such as restlessness and insomnia.

What is not mentioned is withdrawal akathisia. Akathisia is a medication-induced disorder marked by intense inner restlessness and agitation. It can emerge when stopping, starting or changing drug dose or type. During withdrawal, akathisia is often mistaken for relapse or “worsening depression,” leading some patients to remain on medication indefinitely.

Most SSRIs were studied in short-to-medium term clinical trials, not long term use. Regular reassessment, informed consent, and gradual tapering when appropriate are especially important for older adults, who may be more vulnerable to adverse effects.

MISSD offers free educational resources to help clinicians, patients, and families better recognize and prevent medication-induced akathisia. Take our courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com.

In a recent interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Jill and Martin Kingston, parents of Thomas Kingston, spoke publicly about their son’s death in February 2024.

According to reporting by AOL and the findings presented at inquest, Thomas had been prescribed sertraline (Zoloft) and later citalopram for work-related stress and insomnia. The coroner concluded that adverse effects associated with the medication contributed to his death, noting no prior evidence of suicidal intent.

In their interview, the Kingstons called for practical reforms aimed at improving patient safety. Their proposals include:

• Requiring patients to formally acknowledge documented SSRI risks, including the potential for severe behavioral side effects
• Encouraging the involvement of a trusted support person during medication initiation, dosage changes, or discontinuation
• Increasing public and professional awareness of serious adverse reactions such as akathisia

Akathisia is a medication-induced disorder characterized by severe inner restlessness, agitation, and distress. It is widely under-recognized and can precipitate impulsive self-harm, violence or suicide.

MISSD has long advocated for full risk disclosure, a buddy system to improve medication monitoring during prescribing and tapering, and greater recognition of medication-induced adverse effects. We have documented numerous coroner-acknowledged cases in which akathisia or antidepressant adverse effects were cited as contributing factors.

We urge health authorities to carefully consider the coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report and to strengthen patient protections accordingly. Read the AOL article here: https://www.aol.com/parents-lady-gabriellas-husband-thomas-173002081.html,

Learn more by taking our free courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com.

Florian was a 20-year-old from Corsica, a gifted third-year medical student with a deep love for learning and for life.

He excelled in his studies, ranking first out of 200 students in his first-year medical school competition. Maths and physics fascinated him. Cinema and skiing brought him joy. Becoming a doctor was his dream, and he worked relentlessly toward it.

Florian was not depressed. He sought medical help only because of abdominal discomfort. He was prescribed paroxetine 20 mg, with Xanax if needed.

Nineteen days later, on February 18, 2021, Florian died by suicide.

The day before, he spent time with friends, did his shopping, and spoke about going skiing with his family. No one noticed anything unusual.

Today, we remember Florian — a beloved son, a loyal friend, and a future doctor whose life ended far too soon.

A recent Medical News Today piece compiles Reddit stories from Vraylar (cariprazine) patients, but it glosses over akathisia by labeling it “restlessness” in parentheses. This minimization is dangerous given that akathisia isn’t mere fidgeting; it’s a severe medication-induced disorder associated with a wide variety of drugs, including Vraylar, that can cause extreme agitation, dysphoria, delirium, suicidal ideation and suicide. Read the full article at https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vraylar-reddit.

At MISSD, we’re dedicated to promoting accurate akathisia info and awareness to reduce avoidable suffering and death. Take our free courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com and share our videos to save lives.

🚨 Medication safety alert: New reports underscore the importance of recognizing serious symptoms of sertraline, a commonly prescribed depression pill. UK health services have listed several warning signs that might indicate a serious adverse reaction — including symptoms associated with serotonin toxicity.

📌 Important signs to be aware of include: agitation, sweating and fever, rapid heartbeat, muscle stiffness, and confusion. These can occur when serotonin levels rise too high — often when starting treatment, adjusting doses, or combining medications that affect serotonin.

🔹 What to do:
• If you notice any concerning symptoms, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist right away.
• Never stop or change medication without professional guidance. Read the full article at https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/health/nhs-sertraline-alert-5-symptoms-36695114.

At MISSD, we know that accurate information and early recognition of adverse medication effects can make a critical difference in outcomes. Take our free 1-hour courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com.

A recent article from Pharmacy Practice News examines the clinical challenges of distinguishing tardive dyskinesia from other medication-induced movement disorders. Misdiagnosis can delay appropriate care and expose patients to ongoing harm—particularly when drug-induced conditions are mistaken for primary psychiatric or neurological illness.

At our last conference, a pharma rep insisted there is a med specifically designed to treat akathisia. Turns out he was confusing akathisia with tardive dyskinesia…

Clear diagnostic understanding is essential for patient safety, informed treatment decisions, and prevention of further injury. Read the full article here https://www.pharmacypracticenews.com/Clinical/Article/02-26/Tardive-Dyskinesia-Distinguishing-From-Drug-Induced-Disorders/79588.

Today marks 13 years since Natalie’s medication-induced death. Her story—shared on our podcast—reminds us that akathisia is real, often missed, and can be especially dangerous when mistreated by increasing the akathisia-inducing drug. In memory of Natalie and all victims of akathisia, we continue educating clinicians and families to prevent avoidable suffering and death. Take our free courses, share our resources and listen.

After taking what was believed to be retatrutide, Bunnie XO—wife of country star Jelly Roll—described emotional numbness, loss of joy, and severe suicidal depression on her podcast.

Similar psychiatric reactions—including suicidal thoughts—have been reported with GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro. Regulators are monitoring these signals. Eli Lilly said the drug was not their product, highlighting growing risks tied to counterfeit or unapproved weight-loss injections.

It is critical to recognize akathisia-like symptoms early, use a medication-monitoring partner, and demand transparent risk discussions.

Med-induced suicidality is largely preventable with awareness. See MISSD.co for free resources and take our courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com. Read the full story at https://shorturl.at/Ek83b.

 At MISSD, we are committed to amplifying the voices of those who have endured the devastating effects of medication-induced akathisia and related neurological injuries. Today, we highlight the powerful testimony of Danielle Gansky, whose experience beginning in childhood underscores the urgent need for better informed consent, cautious prescribing practices—particularly for young people—and greater recognition of severe withdrawal syndromes. In a recent interview, Danielle describes being prescribed depression pills at just 7 years old after being flagged for behavioral and attention concerns at school. What followed was a cascade of additional psychiatric drugs—including ADHD stimulants—leading to long-term dependence. When she eventually discontinued these drugs, she entered what she describes as a “living nightmare” of physical and psychological torment, including symptoms consistent with akathisia: intense inner restlessness, burning sensations, extreme agitation, and profound despair. Danielle has publicly shared:  “I was put on antidepressants at seven years old. I’m the long-term study they never did.”

See the full interview at https://x.com/RealLindellTV/status/2018698162807222367.

Katie Brennan, was a Teacher of the Year, mother of six, and a respected member of her community —with no history of mental illness. After prescribed medications caused akathisia, her symptoms were misdiagnosed as psychiatric illness. Despite pharmacological and genetic testing showing she was not suited for these drugs, Katie was dismissed, forcibly medicated, and wrongfully committed — even across state lines. A false psychiatric record followed, costing her career and harming her family.

In our latest Akathisia Stories podcast, Katie shares what happens when medical professionals misdiagnose akathisia and systems fail — and how she’s determined to correct the record and reclaim her life. Listen now at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRZCvbFAdMw.