Akathisia from SSRIs

Gerber and Lund (1998) reviewed the literature and located 127 case reports of SSRI-induced abnormal movements. These included akathisia (agitation with hyperactivity), tardive dyskinesia, parkinsonism, dystonia (muscle spasms), bruxism (tooth grinding), and related disorders. They found many additional case reports from the drug manufacturers, including 516 cases of parkinsonism and 76 cases of tardive dyskinesia. The term tardive dyskinesia is usually reserved for cases that are irreversible. 

Over the last decade there has been a debate as to whether SSRIs might increase the risk of suicide in certain individuals. Some patients can respond to SSRIs by becoming agitated and restless and developing symptoms that resemble akathisia. Case reports have suggested that adverse effects of this type could underlie an increased risk of self-harm and aggression. However, results from the placebo-controlled randomized trials carried out for regulatory purposes have not supported the proposal that SSRIs increase the risk of suicide of suicidal behavior. 

---