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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 22, 2010, at 5:39:00
Hai - me again . . I apologize for the influx of threads, but my hypochondriasis seems to switch onto "red alert" when I'm in the early throes of a med trial . .
Anyway, I was curious how you would differentiate between med-induced anxiety and akathisia? Is akathisia typically accompanied by an emotional or cognitive dimension (i.e. feelings of impending doom, etc.)? I figured I better school up before my p-doc check-in tomorrow to make sure I'm not reporting imaginary side-effects . .
what I'm finding on the clomipramine is that there's a greater feeling of (physical) urgency accompanying my OCD thoughts, so that when they do hang around, I feel the need to constantly move around and change tasks in order to escape them. however, even when I do expose myself to the thoughts, and try and stick with a task, I still experience that inner restlessness, and will constantly fidget physically, etc. during therapy today, for example, I couldn't stop touching myself nervously every few seconds.
it's hard to tell whether what i'm feeling is akathisia superimposed over the OCD, or just an increase in general anxiety? I feel jumpier, more physically tense, and also very harried and impatient . . my mood is okay, but I'm a lot quicker to 'snap' at family members. is akathisia purely a physical sensation, or is it accompanied by aggravation/anxiety?
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2010, at 10:50:10
In reply to Anxiety versus akathisia?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 22, 2010, at 5:39:00
That's a good question as I have heard akathesia referred to as an intolerable inner restlessness that is horrible. Phillipa
Posted by emmanuel98 on September 22, 2010, at 19:58:34
In reply to Anxiety versus akathisia?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 22, 2010, at 5:39:00
When I had akathesia, it was purely a physical sensation, being unable to sit still, feeling restless and uncomfortable physically.
Posted by SLS on September 23, 2010, at 0:52:25
In reply to Re: Anxiety versus akathisia? » g_g_g_unit, posted by emmanuel98 on September 22, 2010, at 19:58:34
> When I had akathesia, it was purely a physical sensation, being unable to sit still, feeling restless and uncomfortable physically.
What drugs have produced akathisia for you?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on September 23, 2010, at 1:01:30
In reply to Anxiety versus akathisia?, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 22, 2010, at 5:39:00
Hi GGG.
It is not obvious that you have akathisia from what I know of it.
From Wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia
.
.
.
.From the Barnes akathisia scale:
4. Global clinical assessment of akathisia SCORE: _____
0. Absent.
No evidence of awareness of restlessness. Observation of characteristic movements of
akathisia in the absence of a subjective report of inner restlessness or compulsive desire
to move the legs should be classified as pseudoakathisia.
1. Questionable.
Non-specific inner tension and fidgety movements.
2. Mild akathisia.
Awareness of restlessness in the legs and/or inner restlessness worse when required to
stand still. Fidgety movements present, but characteristic restless movements of
akathisia not necessarily observed. Condition causes little or no distress.
3. Moderate akathisia.
Awareness of restlessness as described for mild akathisia above, combined with
characteristic restless movements such as rocking from foot to foot when standing.
Patient finds the condition distressing.
4. Marked akathisia.
Subjective experience of restlessness includes a compulsive desire to walk or pace.
However, the patient is able to remain seated for at least five minutes. The condition is
obviously distressing.
5. Severe akathisia.
The patient reports a strong compulsion to pace up and down most of the time. Unable
to sit or lie down for more than a few minutes. Constant restlessness which is associated
with intense distress and insomnia.
Posted by g_g_g_unit on September 23, 2010, at 1:53:09
In reply to Re: Anxiety versus akathisia?, posted by SLS on September 23, 2010, at 1:01:30
Thanks! That scale is really handy, and based on which I'd say the drug, at the worst, was producing mild akathisia, given that it is worse when I have to sit still and does not provoke a lot of distress (well not enough to discontinue the trial). I have had marked akathisia from Prozac and Seroquel and that was hell-on-earth.
> Hi GGG.
>
> It is not obvious that you have akathisia from what I know of it.
>
>
> From Wiki:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akathisia
>
> .
> .
> .
> .
>
> From the Barnes akathisia scale:
>
> 4. Global clinical assessment of akathisia SCORE: _____
> 0. Absent.
> No evidence of awareness of restlessness. Observation of characteristic movements of
> akathisia in the absence of a subjective report of inner restlessness or compulsive desire
> to move the legs should be classified as pseudoakathisia.
> 1. Questionable.
> Non-specific inner tension and fidgety movements.
> 2. Mild akathisia.
> Awareness of restlessness in the legs and/or inner restlessness worse when required to
> stand still. Fidgety movements present, but characteristic restless movements of
> akathisia not necessarily observed. Condition causes little or no distress.
> 3. Moderate akathisia.
> Awareness of restlessness as described for mild akathisia above, combined with
> characteristic restless movements such as rocking from foot to foot when standing.
> Patient finds the condition distressing.
> 4. Marked akathisia.
> Subjective experience of restlessness includes a compulsive desire to walk or pace.
> However, the patient is able to remain seated for at least five minutes. The condition is
> obviously distressing.
> 5. Severe akathisia.
> The patient reports a strong compulsion to pace up and down most of the time. Unable
> to sit or lie down for more than a few minutes. Constant restlessness which is associated
> with intense distress and insomnia.
Posted by SLS on September 23, 2010, at 6:03:55
In reply to Re: Anxiety versus akathisia? » SLS, posted by g_g_g_unit on September 23, 2010, at 1:53:09
> I have had marked akathisia from Prozac and Seroquel and that was hell-on-earth.
That sounds like true akathisia. Both drugs are capable of precipitating it.
- Scott
Posted by emmanuel98 on September 23, 2010, at 20:28:55
In reply to Re: Anxiety versus akathisia? » emmanuel98, posted by SLS on September 23, 2010, at 0:52:25
Just perphenazine. At one time I was taking 36mg. I cut that way back to 12 and the akathesia went away completely.
This is the end of the thread.
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