August 22, 2026 at 10:51 am

“My Mother Had to be Dying Before Anyone Would Take Her Off the Drugs”

This moving essay tells one family’s story of akathisia and related medication harm, missed warning signs, and the advocacy it took to have concerns heard.

When a patient’s condition changes after a medication is added, increased, reduced, or stopped, the possibility of an adverse drug effect must be taken seriously.

Read: “My Mother Had to Be Dying Before Anyone Would Take Her Off the Drugs”

To learn more about how polypharmacy can increase the risk of suffering akathisia, take MISSD’s free courses at MISSD.LearnUpon.com/catalog.

August 18, 2026 at 3:54 pm

From Survival to Self-Advocacy: Lisa on Medication Safety and Finding Your Voice

Our latest episode of Akathisia Stories features Lisa Acquaviva who joins MISSD to discuss cancer, recovery, drug safety, and the power of safe-patient advocacy.

After navigating metastatic colon cancer and extensive medical treatment, Lisa began seeking answers about her experience and connecting with others affected by polypharmacy, akathisia, and other medication-related adverse effects. Tune in to hear what she learned about asking questions, recognizing symptoms, and becoming an active participant in her own care.

August 10, 2026 at 3:48 pm

Akathisia and Self-Estrangement

Cael explains what thousands of others have experienced: akathisia and related adverse drug effects can disconnect a person from their own emotions, values, needs, identity, or sense of purpose. Drugs that cause emotional blunting can numb all emotions, not just feelings of sadness.

August 5, 2026 at 2:06 pm

Akathisia Stories Podcast Clip: Katinka Newman

From the outside, akathisia can initially appear invisible — but the impact is very real. In this short clip, Katinka Newman, author of The Pill That Steals Lives, reflects on her terrifying journey through prescribed harm. Listen to the full episode at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_L9vbzE_c8&t=126s.

August 3, 2026 at 5:11 pm

Florida Urges Caution on Psychotropic Drugs for Children

Florida’s new guidance cautions against psychotropic medications for children ages 5–17. It recommends comprehensive evaluation, psychotherapy first, and attention to sleep, screen time, nutrition, physical activity, and stressors before medication.

The full guidelines are available here: https://www.floridahealth.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/GUIDANCE-Avoidance_of_Psychotropic_Pharmacotherapy_in_Children.pdf.