Tardive Dyskinesia

Hi, my name is treestan. I'm here because I have been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar disorder. I am headed into a second round of ECT in two months, and I am a bit nervous about the impact to my memories and cognitive functioning. I left four jobs in the past three years and I am currently on SSDI and Disability Retirement, my wife works 30 hours a week and we make enough to get by. I have lots of time on my hands at home, and I have been depressed for the past two years. Medications, like the antipsychotics that I have been taking for decades have caused Tardive Dyskinesia and I cannot stand in line anywhere without doing a little dance of anxiety and it hurts me so bad. I hope for the future in a good way, and I want to be able to relate to other people here. I think that the ECT treatments will do me good, and perhaps in the reasonable future I can find a part time job working from home or going back to school for something like accounting. I have a dream of working full time again, but in all reality, at 45 years old I do not think that this will ever happen again, unless the ECT proves to be miraculous and heal my mind so I can be sharp again and communicate without social anxiety. I have a masters degree in Geography, that served me well working in the field for ten years as a professional, ever since I had to get off of the lithium that I was taking because it harmed my kidneys I have been suffering from a severe mixed bipolar episode and have been unable to hold down a job.
#MightyTogether #BipolarDisorder

What is akithisia?

According to Lohr et al (2015) ‘’Akathisia is one of the most vexing problems in neuropsychiatry. Although it is one of the most common side effects of antipsychotic medications, it is often difficult to describe by patients, and is difficult to diagnose and treat by practitioners.’’ Additionally, ‘’akathisia is generally either underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, which is a serious problem because it can lead to such adverse outcomes as poor adherence to medications, exacerbation of psychiatric symptoms, and, in some cases, aggression, violence, and suicide.’’ (Lohr et al, 2015).

‘’Akathisia is usually grouped with extrapyramidal movement disorders (ie, movement disorders that originate outside the pyramidal or corticospinal tracts and generally involve the basal ganglia). Yet, it can present as a purely subjective clinical complaint, without overt movement abnormalities.’’ (Lohr et al, 2015).

In Van Putten (1975)’s The many faces of Akathisia, it is stated that akathisia ‘’can be mistaken for an exacerbation of the original mental illness.‘’

‘’The inner agitation of akathisia is always subjectively stressful. Kalinowsky15 states that akathisia can be “more difficult to endure than any of the symptoms

for which [the patient] was originally treated” (Van Putten, 1975).

In my opinion (as someone who is not a healthcare professional), Van Putten’s article is outdated and incorrect in many respects.

However, as a patient who has experienced akathisia many times - I believe that it is worth thoroughly screening psychiatric patients for akathisia. In my own experience, clinicians often fail to recognise akathisia unless it fits within a very narrow interpretation (a patient pacing or being visibly restless/agitated). While this is certainly an indication of akathisia, it can also present in very subtle ways (whilst being excruciatingly painful).

I think that it may manifest in vastly different ways depending on how different individuals express feelings of distress. In some individuals, it may be invisible.

I believe that further research into patients’ subjective experiences of akathisia would be beneficial.

It is fairly easy to treat.

I also believe that patients taking psychiatric medication should be educated about akathisia and tardive dyskinesia. Many patients have no idea about these conditions, and therefore do not recognise symptoms as they arise. They may believe that their condition is deteriorating, without realising that there is a fairly simple solution which could alleviate some of their suffering (or a great deal of their suffering).

References:

Lohr, J. B., Eidt, C. A., Abdulrazzaq Alfaraj, A., & Soliman, M. A. (2015). The clinical challenges of akathisia. CNS Spectrums, 20(S1), 1–16. doi.org/10.1017/S1092852915000838

Van Putten, T. (1975). The many faces of Akathisia. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 16(1), 43–47. doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-440X(75)90019-X

#MentalHealth #Schizophrenia #SchizoaffectiveDisorder #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar1 #Bipolar2 #Depression #Anxiety #Psychosis

#BipolarDisorder

My doc cut my dose in half about 3 weeks ago because I’ve developed a psychotic med motor control disorder called Tardive Dyskinesia. I think he cut me back too quick. Lethargic, dizzy, anxious. Anyone else experienced this? Hope you are all well.

Anyone diagnosed with TD and/or Akathisia? I have almost all the symptoms, so my doc is weaning me off Geodon. I rock side to side almost all the time, the toes on my left foot curl under, I choke on food more than is normal, my hands shake (not all the time like Parkinson’s) and I feel restless all the time. TD is a potential terrible side effect of antipsychotic meds. Definitely educate yourself about TD if you’re on antipsychotics. It is a potentially irreversible movement disorder. #BipolarDisorder
#Tardive Dyskinesia
#Akathisia

I’m having a rough time friends. My psychiatrist is weaning me off my mood stabilizer because it is causing Tardive Dyskinesia, a potentially permanent movement disorder (similar to Parkinsons). Lots of antipsychotic meds cause this disorder. I’m having some withdrawal symptoms.

I’ve also been having terrible nerve pain in my back for 4 months that causes hip pain, too. Lots of mobility issues. I feel so old, but I’m not. I have good doctors, but it’s taking so long to get answers and lots of trial & error.

I’m having trouble getting through each day & have started to cry more. Is anyone dealing with health issues and having recovery? Looking for some hope.

Hi everyone. I’m so scared. My doc is lowering my mood stabilizer to stop Tardive Dyskinesia symptoms (a psychiatric drug-induced disorder). I’m terrified of ending up in the hospital again. Anyone who is bipolar doing ok with a low dose or no mood stabilizer?

Also, does anyone else feel like their posts “get lost” on this app? There are so many new posts that they seem to become old and not read in less than 30 minutes. Just a bit frustrated.

I’ve been rocking side to side while sitting & standing for about a year. I thought it was anxiety. I now have a (mild) facial tic. I’ve been reading that psychiatric drugs can cause these symptoms even years after starting the meds. Anyone been diagnosed with this or with Akathisia? What treatments have worked?

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6125-tardive-dyskinesia

my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23954-akathisia

Hi, my name is aradioactive. I'm here because I have bipolar disorder, tardive dyskinesia, an eating disorder and ADHD. (sometimes, new doctors treat me like I'm radioactive until they get to know me). LOL