Intense inner discomfort after starting, stopping, or changing medication?
Akathisia is a recognised reaction that can feel like overwhelming inner agitation, distress, or a sense that something is deeply wrong. It may happen after starting a medication, changing dose, missing doses, reducing, or stopping a medication. Sometimes it begins quickly; other times it may appear days or weeks later.
If you feel unsafe, extremely distressed, or at risk of harming yourself, seek urgent medical help immediately (such as an emergency department or local emergency services).
Pause for a moment
Try to slow your breathing slightly. Inhale slowly through your nose, and exhale gently. You do not need to fix everything right now.
This feeling, as intense as it is, is something others have experienced. It is often linked to medications and can be recognised and treated.
What akathisia can feel like
People often struggle to describe this experience. It is not just anxiety. It can feel like an internal agitation or discomfort that does not settle, even when you try to rest.
People describe it as:
- “Like I want to crawl out of my skin”
- “Something is very wrong inside me”
- “An unbearable inner agitation”
- “Not anxiety — something more physical and relentless”
A powerful inner discomfort or agitation that feels hard to escape
A sense that something is deeply wrong or unbearable
Difficulty describing the feeling in normal emotional terms
An urge to move, pace, or shift position to try to relieve the feeling
Symptoms beginning after starting, stopping, missing, reducing, or changing a medication
Common causes
Akathisia is often linked to medications, withdrawal, or dose changes. It may occur after starting a medication, increasing or reducing a dose, missing doses, stopping a medication, or when a dose wears off.
Information adapted from established sources such as the Akathisia Alliance.
What to do now
Contact a doctor, pharmacist, urgent care, or emergency services if symptoms are severe
Clearly say: “I am worried this could be medication-induced akathisia”
Write down recent starts, stops, missed doses, dose changes, and when symptoms started
Do not assume it is only anxiety if it began after medication exposure
The most important thing is making the connection between your symptoms and any recent medication start, stop, missed dose, dose change, or withdrawal clear to a clinician.
Important reassurance
This experience can feel intense and difficult to explain, but it is a recognised medical reaction. You are not going crazy.
In many cases, this improves once the cause is identified and addressed, especially when recognised early.
You do not need to figure everything out right now — the most important step is clearly explaining what you are feeling and when it started.