Definition
A syndrome of increased motor activity and/or subjective sense of desire for motor activity believed to be due to functional irregularities in the extrapyramidal motor system in the brain. Most blatantly, akathisia may involve fidgeting, inability to remain seated, shuffling gait, shortened stride, cogwheel rigidity, reduced accessory movements such as arm-swing while walking or gesturing, and pacing. It may include more subtle phenomena such as wandering (with attendant boundary issues) and excessive talking (which the patient may be aware of, but unable properly to control). Akinesia can also affect small muscle groups, such as those of the face and/or larynx, leading to a reduced amount and range of facial expression and/or monotonous voice tone. Subjectively, akathisia is frequently experienced as an unpleasant, dysphoric state.
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© 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
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Siris, S.G. (2010). Akathisia. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_812
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_812
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-68698-9
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-68706-1
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