Different types of akathisia: clinical analysis on three cases

Abstract

Objective To explore the clinical presentations, probable pathogenesis and therapy of different types of akathisia. Methods and Results There were 3 cases of akathisia in this report. The diagnosis of Case 1 was acute akathisia, drug-induced parkinsonism, and iron-deficiency anemia, and the symptoms were relieved after the patient stopped taking olanzapine and was treated with propranolol, alprazolam, benzhexol and iron supplementation. The diagnosis of Case 2 was tardive akathisia and tardive dyskinesia. After risperidone was gradually reduced and alprazolam was added, the symptoms were improved. The diagnosis of Case 3 was akathisia in Parkinson's disease (PD). After alprazolam and propranolol were added, while anti-PD drugs (levodopa and benserazide, selegiline and pramipexole) continued to be applied, the symptoms were alleviated. Conclusions When akathisia is treated, its type should be distinguished firstly, and then the treatment should be given according to different types.

Keywords

• Psychomotor agitation
• Antipsychotic agents