Are you experiencing a sense of restlessness and a strong need to keep moving? Being unable to sit or stand still and can’t help but rock or march your feet in place? If you are having these symptoms then you may be suffering from a disorder called akathisia.

Akathisia or acathisia is a movement disorder that may be a side effect of certain drugs that are often prescribed for people with bipolar disorder. This side effect is often not properly recognized and is a kind of subtle response when taking certain kinds of drugs that are designed to treat psychiatric disorders. These include antipsychotic drugs, lithium, and antianxiety medicines.  Technically, akathisia is a medical term used to describe inner restlessness among people. Akithisia is also often present among people with Parkinson’s disease, and bipolar I and II.

Generally, the symptoms present in a person suffering akathisia are the following: a compelling or irresistible need to be in constant motion, rocking while standing or while sitting, marching on the spot and crossing the legs over and over while sitting.

There are a lot of classifications for akathisia, such as acute akathisia which means the movement disorder’s duration is less than 6 months. It is classified as chronic akathisia if the last dosage increment is over 6 months. Pseudoakathisia is the term used if there are motor demonstration without subjective Factor. A delayed onset of movement disorder is called Tardive akathisia. And lastly, refund or rebound akathisia happens if there is a side-effect when switching antipsychotic drugs.

This dreaded disorder can sometimes be reversible once the medication or causative agent has been identified and discontinued. In rare cases, akathisia can be permanent. In some case reports, propranolol and anticholinergics may help remedy acute akathisia but not chronic akathisia. Theoretically, to minimize the risk of experiencing this disorder from taking antipsychotics, doctors are advised to increase dosages conservatively.