During my recovery from the benzodiazepine injury syndrome (aka Benzo Withdrawal) from taking Clonazepam as prescribed, I experienced many strange and frightening symptoms. One extraordinarily horrific symtpom was akathisia—an inner restlessness and agitation that made sitting or standing still impossible. I’d get bouts of it, my body filled with an indescribable pressure that could only be relieved if I moved. On the days I had the strength and equilibrium to walk, I’d lace up my shoes and pound the pavement until I felt I had drained off some of the uncomfortable energy. On the days I was too sick to walk, I writhed on the couch, miserable.
Akathisia is a side effect or withdrawal symptom for some medications. Little is known about the exact brain changes that cause akathisia, and doctors may misdiagnose it as anxiety, agitated depression, mania, or ADHD.
What can we do to help cope with benzodiazepine injury-induced akathisia to reduce our suffering? There are a few things that may help. The first is to recognize that akathisia is uncomfortable but not harmful. Unlike some other movement disorders, we have control over our bodies. We make the conscious decision to move. And movement can help us cope. Walking, rocking, using a Hula Hoop, swimming (as long as you are safe in the water), and other gentle exercises are beneficial. On the days I didn’t want to walk when akathisia came on, I’d garden to reduce the internal pressure I felt. (Movements to avoid are agitated pacing, running too fast, or any exercise that is very strenuous, as they can increase benzo withdrawal symptoms.)
If akathisia is too uncomfortable to tolerate, doctors may prescribe medications. (Some medicines have withdrawal syndromes down the road, so please do your research as doctors are not always educated about them.) Low doses of beta-blockers, like propranolol, help reduce akathisia and are usually tolerated, but as with all things Benzos. “Your mileage may vary.” (I took low doses of Inderal from time to time to help with my Benzo Withdrawal induced postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome symptoms.)
Thankfully, akathisia caused by a benzodiazepine injury goes away as the brain and nervous system heal. We will be able to sit still and feel relaxed in our bodies. My akathisia took some time to fade away entirely, but it did. If you have benzodiazepine induced akathisia, it will go away as you heal.
If you are tapering or off your benzo and haven’t experienced akathisia, please don’t worry about experiencing it. Not everyone who has a benzodiazepine injury will get akathisia. To help reduce Benzo Withdrawal symptoms, reduce your stress, rest, hydrate, exercise gently, eat as many complex carbs and non-starchy veggies as you can while reducing (or eliminating!) eggs, dairy, and flesh. Observe negative thoughts and feelings and allow them to pass through you. Distract from your symptoms as much as you can. Know that you are healing, even if you don’t see any evidence of the fact.
Press these words to your heart and soul: “I am safe. I am healing. I will recover.” Because you are, and you will.
From my heart to yours,
Dr. Jenn
Akathisia was one of my most dreaded symptoms. I was actually prescribed Klonopin for nocturnal myoclonus and later restless leg syndrome (RLS). So, I had experience with that need-to-move feeling. For the first two to three years I had a lot of difficulty doing any type of exercise and actually, my anxiety prevented me from even leaving my house most days. But over time akathisia (and all of the other horrible symptoms) has pretty much disappeared.
I’m in complete agreement about distraction. Distraction is the only way I was able to get through benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. I would just think, “I need to get through the next hour, half hour, 15 minutes.” And, I’m here to say that it worked!
Thanks so much for all you do. You’re the best.
I’m sorry to hear you suffered so much. But good to know you’re better! We do recover! Thank you for your kind words. They touched my heart.
Dear Dr. Jenn,
Each time I see an email from you, I am delighted knowing a gift of positive reinforcement is awaiting. Thank you making time in your blog, I am grateful beyond words!
The feeling of inner restlessness and agitation, which subsides temporarily when I move, happens at the worst time … when I’m trying desperately to get some sleep. The insomnia has been my most brutal symptoms at 27 months out from CT Clonazepam prescribed for sleep. Does the incessant need to toss from one side to the other fall under the Akathisia category?
Also, would you please be so kind as to explain why eggs are on your no-no list. As a pescatarian, I worry about losing this protein source and it is one of the few foods I love. Thank you again for your truly great work. You really are the VERY BEST .
Akathisia is a subjective experience. People call many different urges to move, akathisia. It’s not important if they all fall under the “exact” definition— it’s suffering no matter the name.
Eggs are not healthy for us. They cause inflammation, and help promote cancer. You can go to nutritionfacts.org and do a search. Plus, outside of nutrition, the way chickens are raised, and the male chicks treated, there are those things to consider.
We’ve been marketed to— this whole notion about protein. We only need a small percentage of our calories to be protein. We get more than enough eating a healthy whole food plant based diet. And, we reduce our inflammation and feed our brain and nervous system what it most needs.
The science is definitive, in my humble opinion, that we are herbivores, not designed to consume animal protein. The healthiest, longest living people eat plants only. (Not vegan junk food, by the way.) starches, nonstarchy veggies, seeds, nuts, and fruit.
You don’t need the protein (and the inflammation) from eggs. You need complex carbohydrates. Plant protein. Plant fats.
I make an excellent plant based egg salad sandwich. Pulse a can of rinsed chick peas until crumbled but don’t turn them into hummus. :). Add vegan Mayo, chopped celery, red onion, relish, capers, and season with Kala Namak (black salt. Sold on Amazon.) the black salt will give the garbanzo beans an eggy sulfur smell and taste. My omnivore friends think my eggless egg salad is the bomb!
Fish, btw, isn’t healthy for us either. Do a search on nutritionalfacts.org. Again, we’ve been duped into false beliefs about what our bodies need. Sorta like how we’ve been duped by Big Pharma. Follow the money. The animal agriculture “machine” is huge. Funny, you never hear of broccoli lobbyists hounding the government.
I’m PASSIONATE about helping people heal. So I’m passionate about plant based nutrition.
I have Xanax tolerance and do not know what to do. Detox facility or Ashton protocol. I am very sick and can not continue like this.
A detox facility will take you off very quickly, which can create intense symptoms. Dr. Ashton does say however, that some people are so sick on the drug that they do need to come off as quickly and as safely as possible. It’s hard to determine, perhaps, just who those people are. What symptoms are there that would indicate it is better to get off quickly? I don’t know the answer to that question. I do know of one case where being on the drug became a life threatening situation. That person was detoxed in a few days with a neuroleptic for seizure risk. I can’t tell you what the right thing is for you.I hope that you can find a medical practitioner who has some insight into the situation. Do focus on your gut health so that you are as healthy as possible to navigate the journey ahead. sending you light and love.