Posted by ItsHowdyDudyTime on November 27, 2002, at 20:18:34
In reply to What is EPS?????????, posted by McPac on November 26, 2002, at 15:01:38
EPS is a neurological problem known as a movement disorder. Usually it stems from use of anti-psychotic (neuroleptic) drugs. Basically, it feels like a mild form of parkinsons and is sometimes referred to as "pseudu-parkinsons" in various psychiatric literature. Symptoms can include things like tightened stiff and sore muscles, muscle twitches or tremors, tongue numbnes, tightness in the throat or back of head area, monotone facial expressions that to a psychiatrist looks like a "flat effect." Also, in serious cases of EPS, it oftentimes hits you harder on one side. It hit me on my right side (dominant side) harder than my left side. For example my right grip and right arm and leg was stiffer and weaker than my left side.
EPS is not a psychiatric illness, its a Neurological condition caused by psychiatric medications. Treatment usually involves stopping the anti-psychotic medication and taking anti-cholinergic drugs such as OTC benadryl, Cogentin or Artane and sometimes dopamine agonists like Amantadine. ECT is also very effective as combatting EPS and nipping it in the bud early on.
Usually EPS goes away on its own shortly after cessation of anti-psychotic medication. But sometimes it hangs around a long time and this is where it can really anger a patient and worry psychiatrists.
The newer anti-psychotics dubbed "atypical anti-psychotics" cause EPS at lower rates than the original typical anti-psychotics. But they still can cause EPS. Additionally, those afflicted with mood or anxiety disorders develop EPS easier and faster than schizophrenics. So this means that neuroleptic drugs must be used very conservatively and for short periods in those who are primarily mood or anxiety affected and not floridly psychotic.
I hope this answers your questions about EPS.
Howdy Doody
poster:ItsHowdyDudyTime
thread:94409
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/129650.html