Case study of neuroleptic-induced akathisia: important implications for individuals with mental retardation

Neuroleptic-induced akathisia is a relatively common side effect of neuroleptic medication, characterized by a subjective sense of restlessness and the inability to sit still. It has been associated with aggression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and suicide among patients who have mental illness. These side effects are fairly well-researched in the psychiatric literature but rarely addressed in the mental retardation literature. The prevalence, types of akathisia, differential diagnosis, and treatment were reviewed and a relevant case report presented. The importance of the diagnosis and treatment of neuroleptic-induced akathisia in individuals with mental retardation was discussed.