MISSD

05/25/2026

💔 Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the 21-year-old Norwich student who tragically took his own life after experiencing severe side effects from hair loss pills.

Cases like this highlight a critical but often overlooked issue: certain medications, including those prescribed for hair loss (such as finasteride), have been associated with akathisia — a med-induced disorder that can drive suicidal thoughts and actions. France recently strengthened warnings on finasteride for exactly these psychiatric risks.

Healthcare consumers and providers need to know about med-induced self-harm, violence, and suicidality. Our free resources and courses on akathisia are available to everyone.

Read the full story here:

Oliver Fawkes, 21 and a Master's student at the University of East Anglia, took his own life after hair loss tablets triggered suicidal thoughts.

05/18/2026

"I was begging for help; They just gave me more drugs.
I was told that I would have to be on it (Zoloft) for life." -Stacey, prescribed sertraline at age 18

Change.org Petitionhttps://www.change.org/p/require-black-box-warnings-to-explicitly-name-and-describe-akathisiaSee Stacey's Full episode here https://youtu....

05/14/2026

MISSD believes transparency in clinical drug trials and clearly communicating risks is paramount to patient safety. We also believe su***de prevention articles should include adverse drug effects that can cause su***de. It's unfortunate to see this recent Psychiatric Times piece on meds and su***de prevention leaves out a critical risk: akathisia.

The article is co-authored by the chief medical officer of AFSP. AFSP -- the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention takes Big Pharma money from the very companies that profit from the sale of meds associated with akathisia.

It's wrong to omit akathisia info and/or downplay risks because lives can be saved when akathisia is recognized early.

Real akathisia education: MISSD.LearnUpon.co/catalog
https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/effective-psychiatric-medication-use-su***de-prevention-a-conversation-with-christine-yu-moutier-md

How antidepressant myths can raise su***de risk—and what evidence-based prescribing, tapering, and crisis supports really look like.

05/12/2026

New SSRI prescribing guidelines mark an important step forward. Emphasis on safer tapering, informed consent, whole-person care, and regular review reflects what patients and families have reported for years.

Greater awareness of akathisia and related adverse drug effects that can cause suicidality and su***de is critical for prevention and early intervention.

A major shift in depression care could affect millions of patients.

05/07/2026

A new review of ketamine trials reports rapid reductions in suicidal and depressive symptoms for some patients—but also highlights limitations like small study sizes, unblinding, expectancy bias, and limited long-term safety data.

These challenges aren’t unique to ketamine. They reflect broader gaps in how drug trials report both benefits and harms.

One key question deserves more attention:
Are medication-induced conditions like akathisia being clearly identified in clinical trials?

MISSD calls for greater transparency in clinical drug research and better recognition of adverse effects.

Experts express concerns about unblinding effects in randomized trials

05/04/2026

Her symptoms were repeatedly misdiagnosed, leading to additional medications that worsened her condition.

Stacey’s Haza's akathisia story underscores the need for clearer warnings and accurate risk information.

▶️ Listen to the full podcast: tinyurl.com/y67cbpr4
📣 Take action - Sign Stacey’s petition for clearer drug warnings:
tinyurl.com/ack95w3r
🎓 Learn more with MISSD’s free courses: https://missd.learnupon.com/catalog

05/01/2026

MISSD is calling for clearer drug risk disclosure and greater clinical awareness following renewed media attention to akathisia.

As akathisia survivor Stacey Haza shared on our latest Akathisia Stories podcast:
“One of the things you hear over and over is, ‘I wish someone had told me—I wish I had known.’”

Listen to Akathisia Stories, see today's press release, and check out our free 1 hour courses.

Recent media coverage of akathisia brings renewed focus to this medication-induced disorder as advocates call for improved disclosure and patient safety

04/27/2026

Akathisia awareness is reaching new corners of the world.

A recent Japanese repost of MISSD resources reminds us that the need for accurate information is global.

04/23/2026

The way akathisia is described in drug labeling and medical education can obscure its true risks. Terms like “restlessness” are commonly used, but they fail to capture the profound inner distress many people experience.

Current FDA warnings on some meds associated with akathisia, such as SSRIs, state these pharmaceutical products may “increase” suicidal thinking. However, growing evidence and lived experience show that akathisia-inducing drugs can CREATE suicidal thoughts—particularly when the condition is misdiagnosed and mistreated.

MISSD believes accurate language matters. Recognition matters. Education and awareness matter.

That's why we've been in the akathisia awareness "business" for more than 15 years. Recently we helped educate clinicians atttending the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium, but anyone can take our free online courses and see our resources at MISSD.co

▶️ Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yhubTwnpz4

7 likes. "MISSD presents on akathisia at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium in Washington, D.C. 2026"

04/20/2026

Akathisia is receiving increased media attention this week.

For many, this may be the first time encountering the term. Given that akathisia is associated with hundreds of different medications and can cause self-harm, violence, and su***de, akathisia needs to be a household word.

Healthcare consumers and professionals have a right to know the real risks vs possible benefits of pharmaceutical products prior to prescribing.

Controversial Canadian author and psychologist Jordan Peterson has been suffering from a neurological injury caused by psych meds and experiencing akathisia, according to his daughter, Mikhaila

04/16/2026

The majority of healthcare professionals aren't taught about akathisia and patients often don't know what to ask.
We're working to change this.

See highlights from MISSD's presentation at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium in Washington, D.C. Take our free courses for clinicians, consumers, and ca...