Restless and Dismissed: Understanding Akathisia on Aripiprazole and the Evidence-Based Strategies That Provide Real Relief
Akathisia—a deeply uncomfortable inner restlessness that some patients on aripiprazole experience—is among the most distressing and most frequently misidentified adverse effects in psychiatric pharmacotherapy. It is often mistaken for anxiety, symptom relapse, or simply dismissed as something patients must tolerate. This article examines the neurobiology of akathisia, how to distinguish it from other conditions, and the management interventions that clinical evidence supports.