MISSD offers a variety of free educational resources available for print and download. Simply click on our “resources” tab at the top of this webpage to find our latest brochure (https://missd.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MISSD-Brochure.pdf), a quick tips sheet (https://missd.co/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/MISSD-Akathisia-Tip-Sheet.pdf), and the link to our accredited 1-hour online Akathisia 101 course.
High doses of vitamin B6, called Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate, may help reduce akathisia and SSRI withdrawal symptoms caused by drugs marketed as antidepressants. SSRI’s adverse effects can include balance problems associated with Persistent Postural Perceptual Dizziness. We hope more doctors will learn about akathisia and related adverse drug effects and help sufferers manage the often debilitating symptoms.
Read the full articles at https://rxisk.org/pppd-persistent-postural-perceptual-dizziness/ and https://rxisk.org/pyridoxal-5-phosphate-and-akathisia/.
Today marks the 13th anniversary of the loss of Stewart Dolin. It’s a day of mixed emotions as we reflect on the incredible person he was and the heartbreaking circumstances that took him away from us. Stewart was a wonderful husband and father, a dedicated professional, and a good friend to many. Like thousands of others, he was also a victim of akathisia.
The memories of Stewart remain etched in our hearts and remind us of the importance of advocating for accurate information about real drug risks and increasing akathisia awareness.
MISSD is making a difference and helping to prevent similar tragedies from happening to others. Thanks for supporting our mission.
Some consumers have developed out-of-character thoughts of suicide & self-harm after taking the weight loss drugs, Wegovy and Ozempick, two products sold by Novo Nordisk.
“Suicidal behaviour is not currently listed as a side effect in the EU product information of these medicines,” the EMA said. “The PRAC will consider whether the review should be extended to also include other medicines of the same class (‘GLP-1 receptor agonist’).” Read the full article at https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/10/european-regulator-to-review-drugs-after-reports-of-suicidal-thoughts.html.
Our 4 public health videos have now surpassed 1 million views! Please see and share so that others can be safer and better informed. https://studio.youtube.com/video/ibCOhnmM608/edit
We’re pleased to share our large-scale akathisia awareness ads are up and rolling on Utah buses. This campaign, our first in the mountain states, will run through August.
“MISSD believes publicizing akathisia-induced suicidality empowers healthcare consumers and providers to recognize the symptoms, facilitating early intervention and appropriate management strategies.”– Wendy Dolin, MISSD Founder
It’s good to see oncology recognize that olanzapine can induce akathisia in up to 16% of reported cases. As a result of akathisia, cancer patients “may experience significant distress.” Further, clinicians can easily miss or misdiagnose akathisia symptoms, leading to worse outcomes.
Read more at https://ascopubs.org/doi/full/10.1200/JCO.23.00853.
This excellent article by a well-known doctor and medical researcher explains how akathisia and tardive dyskinesia–two common and serious-prescription-drug-induced disorders are often overlooked, miscoded, and mistreated.
“The symptoms of akathisia may be overlooked because they resemble and often overlap with those of mania, psychosis, agitated depression, and the social construct called ADHD.”
Read more at https://www.madinamerica.com/2023/06/psychiatrys-denial-tardive-dyskinesia/.
BBC’s recent documentary is a must-see for anyone who wants to better understand the adverse effects of drugs marketed as antidepressants. The program features internal memos showing pharmaceutical companies hiding the risks before seeking drug regulator approval and misleading prescribers and consumers by downplaying serious withdrawal problems, including akathisia.
The media have long ignored this public health crisis. One sufferer interviewed by BBC stated, “I’ve been waiting 15 years for you (the media) to call.” Watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27aFEgjuYPw.
Nationally, it is estimated that since 2015, over 44% of Americans 12 and older have been prescribed one or more psychotropic drugs (including stimulants, antidepressants, anti-anxiety pills, mood stabilizers, and antipsychotics). The “Medicating Normal” Outreach Team is co-sponsoring an important petition—Protect Children: Reduce Over-Reliance on Psychoactive Drugs.
This petition calls for using already existing data from electronic health records (while maintaining the confidentiality of patients) to track and monitor a given region’s use of psychotropic medication(s). See and sign at https://www.change.org/p/protect-children-reduce-over-reliance-on-psychoactive-drugs?recruiter=709312496&recruited_by_id=f12e7c40-2290-11e7-9e0a-f902d8cecf86&utm_source=share_petition&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_content=cl_sharecopy_36482231_en-US%3A8.