Relationship of akathisia to aggressive and self-injurious behaviour: A prevalence study in a UK tertiary referral centre

Introduction: Akathisia is a common and distressing side-effect associated with antipsychotic drug administration. The relationship between akathisia and five forms of expressed aggression is investigated.

Method: Sixty-four mentally disordered patients were assessed for the point prevalence of akathisia, using Barnes' rating scale for drug-induced akathisia. 1 The five types of aggression studied were: verbal abuse/ aggression, threatening behaviour/violence, physical aggression, destruction of property and deliberate self-harm, all of which are routinely recorded for patients.

Results: Fourteen subjects (21.9%) experienced akathisia, which was approximately four times more likely to occur in women than in men: four (6.3%) had pseudoakathisia. Akathisia was statistically significantly associated with threatening behaviour (P<0.05) and physical aggression (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The data provide evidence for a relationship between the experience of akathisia and the expression of two forms of aberrant behaviour.