Akathisia and Other Things

Akathisia causes the uncontrollable urge to move and is a distressing side effect of some psychotropic medications.

I’m uncomfortable with my own existence. That’s how I tried to capture the indescribable. To say I was crawling out of my skin feels like an understatement. The feeling was unbearable. I couldn’t stop moving. The discomfort went on from when I took the medication until I was able to fall asleep and put an end to the relentless impulse to move, and move, and move. At first, I had no idea what was happening. It took me taking the medication several times before I was able to connect my symptoms with taking it. When at last I was able to discuss what was happening with my psychiatrist, he was able to name that horror:

Akathisia.

A fancy name for an unbearable state of operation. The worse part was that the medication had been working and working very well. But with this side effect I was unable to tolerate, we found that I couldn’t continue the medication. I appreciated my psychiatrist putting a name to my symptoms, but I hated that I had to embark on yet another medication trial. Let’s talk about it: side effects suck. Unfortunately, side effects are fairly prevalent with psych medications. One study found that as many as 8 out of 10 study participants experienced a side effect from the medication and of those 1 in 4 chose to discontinue their medication as a result. With such a high number of individuals affected, what is there to do? Here’s what I’ve learned about managing side effects of medication. 

1. Talk to your healthcare provider 

Don’t suffer in silence. Talking to loved ones about your symptoms can help you find support for what your experience but talking to you provider will help you actually manage what you’re going through. There are medications available to help manage some of the side effects experienced on psych meds. Knowing what medications you’re sensitive to can also help your provider properly adjust your dose or timing. Speaking from experience I wouldn’t recommend stopping a medication without input from your provider because it could result in worsening symptoms that may not always be obvious to you and could prove dangerous.  

2. Talk kindly to yourself 

One of things I had to remember was that I wasn’t at fault for my side effects. It wasn’t something that I was doing, and it didn’t mean that I was broken beyond repair. While I found it difficult to remember those two things at first, a steady stream of positive self-talk helped me accept that side effects were outside of my control. Despite that fact, playing an active role in my treatment, journaling about what I was experiencing, and talking to my provider helped me progress through treatment despite all the odd things that occurred. 

3. Check in with yourself regularly 

Side effects of psych meds can start when the medication starts or develop some time after. Playing an active role in your treatment may involve journaling about your experience to keep you on the look out for side effects that could creep up. Part of accepting this lifelong journey of mental health is recognizing that it will also take lifelong effort. Not to say it’s going to be hard forever, but to encourage you to stay engaged with treatment so that you can have the best possible outcome.  

Takeaways 

Side effects can be uncomfortable, distressing, annoying, or a combination. Try not to let it deter you. Anything worth having is worth working towards, and the same goes for psych meds. If you and your team determine that medication is a helpful option for you, stay the course. Progressing through treatment can result in stability, peace, and happiness that can otherwise be elusive. May your search be enlightening.