Posted by yxibow on March 19, 2007, at 2:21:51
In reply to Re: akathisia versus anxiety, the difference? » johnnyj, posted by Ken Blades on March 19, 2007, at 1:13:55
Akathisia can vary from very minor agitation to kickass all out hell. That would be my experience on Compazine, which is 10 to 20 times more powerful than Thorazine. But then phenothiazines tend to have these intense effects on people.
As noted, it is very different from anxiety but mild akathisia can be confused with it, for those who are not aware of the potential side effect bearing its name.
It is a movement disorder, not an anxiety condition. It is internal agitated movement. At its strongest strength the feeling is that no matter if there is a concrete wall in front of you , you want to smash through it. Other feelings can be writhing on the floor waiting for it to stop. (personal experience)
It is usually moderated by anticholinergics such as Cogentin, Artane, and Benadryl (IV in hospitals).Other things can be thrown at it with varying success including propranolol, possibly clonidine (?), varying amounts of benzodiazepines such as Valium.
The wisdom of covering up very strong akathisia lies in the true necessity of the drug for the patient and the hopefully extensive experience of the psychopharmacologist about the agent being used. Generally it is (obviously) more humane to use agents (neuroleptics, etc) that cause less EPS if possible.
poster:yxibow
thread:741810
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