Posted by SLS on May 20, 2006, at 20:46:49
In reply to Re: Statistical question on SSRIs - ADDENDUM » SLS, posted by Squiggles on May 20, 2006, at 14:34:25
> > I keep seeing the word "akathisia" thrown around as if it were a common occurrence with SSRIs. I question this. My guess is that it is agitation and anxiety that is producing suicidality, and not akathisia per se. Prozac probably produces more agitation and anxiety than the other SSRIs.
> Regarding "akathisia" - the word is from the Greek, a-kathisia, meaning non-restfullness.
Akathisia is a term used in medicine to describe a specific syndrome. It is part of medical nomenclature and has a medical definition. It really doesn't matter what the etymology of the word is. Unfortunately, the description of akathisia is not unambiguous.
Akathisia (from the Greek "not to sit") was first described by Haskovec in 1901
Akathisia is generally acknowledged to have two components:
1. Subjective: feelings of inner restlessness and urge to move.
2. Objective: repetitive movements including rocking while standing or sitting, lifting feet as if marching in place and crossing and uncrossing the legs while sitting
There are several akathisia rating scales, but the Barnes's Akathisia Scale is the one most often employed.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:640557
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/646358.html