Finding relief from the relentless restlessness of akathisia.
Available for in-person sessions in Milwaukee and virtual appointments throughout Wisconsin.
Il Trovatore, Giorgio De Chirico
Dance movement therapy for akathisia: creating windows of relief
Dance movement therapy isn't a cure for akathisia. The torturous internal restlessness, the crawling-out-of-your-skin sensation, and the desperate need to move that defines this condition can't simply be danced away. However, what movement therapy can potentially offer is something invaluable in the akathisia journey: windows of relief.
When practiced with a therapist who understands iatrogenic movement disorders, dance/movement therapy can provide a structured outlet for the relentless energy that akathisia generates. By consciously directing movement rather than being driven by it, some patients report brief periods where the intensity diminishes. These sessions give purpose to the restlessness by encouraging emotional expression and experimentation that can lead to relief. It's not always that the akathisia disappears during these moments, but shifts begin to happen, sometimes just enough to create a small window where the suffering is slightly less acute.
The crucial role of windows in recovery
These windows of relief, however brief, play a vital role in the recovery process. When you're in the depths of akathisia, even a five minute reprieve from that internal agitation can be life preserving. These moments remind you that somewhere beneath the constant restlessness, your true self still exists. Each window offers a precious glimpse of possibility, nurturing the hope that you won't feel this way forever.
Physiologically, these breaks may allow your nervous system a chance to reset, however temporarily. Each window potentially gives your body an opportunity to experience a state that isn't constant fight-or-flight, which may help establish alternative neural patterns as part of the healing process.
The recovery pattern
For many who've recovered from akathisia, the journey follows a recognizable pattern: windows gradually lengthen while waves of symptoms gradually shorten. Initially, relief might come in mere minutes - barely enough time to catch your breath before the restlessness returns. But over time, these windows often expand to hours, then days, as the nervous system slowly heals.
Recovery rarely follows a linear path. You might experience an extended period of improvement followed by a setback that feels devastating. However, many who've walked this path report that even during setbacks, the intensity often isn't quite as severe as before. Each window of relief seems to leave a trace memory in the body that accumulates over time, gradually shifting the balance toward healing.
While dance/movement therapy won't eliminate akathisia on its own, by potentially creating these crucial windows of relief, it may become one valuable component in the complex, multi-faceted approach needed to navigate this challenging condition.
When your body won't be still
That frantic, crawling sensation under your skin. The overwhelming need to move, pace, or rock that gives you no relief. The terrifying restlessness that makes sitting still feel impossible.
Akathisia is real, and your suffering deserves to be taken seriously.
THE HIDDEN STRUGGLE
Most people develop akathisia as a side effect of medications prescribed to improve their mental or physical health. This cruel irony often goes unrecognized:
You probably weren't warned this could happen when you started the medication
Your distress might be dismissed as "just anxiety" or "restlessness"
Even medical professionals may not recognize what you're experiencing
Some people are forced or coerced into taking medications that lead to this unbearable state and may even be mandated to continue using these drugs, despite the harm they cause.
Friends and family might not understand why you can't "just relax"
The isolation can be as painful as the physical symptoms—having an experience that causes you to constantly move can be publicly humiliating and gets in the way of social events and daily obligations.
WORKING TOGETHER
At my Milwaukee practice, I approach akathisia with both understanding and specialized knowledge. I recognize that:
Your suffering is real, regardless of whether others can see or understand it
The physical sensations you're experiencing aren't "just anxiety"
You deserve support that addresses both the physical distress and the emotional impact
Finding the right medical help may be part of your journey
TOGETHER WE CAN...
Develop strategies for managing the most distressing physical sensations
Navigate healthcare systems to find providers who understand akathisia
Address trauma that may have resulted from medical experiences or forced treatment
Personalize guided meditation to invite movement rather than striving for stillness
Build support networks with others who understand this experience
Reclaim parts of your life that akathisia has disrupted
Honestly discuss the suicidal thoughts or feelings that can come with akathisia
Available for in-person sessions in Milwaukee and virtual appointments throughout Wisconsin.
THE REALITY OF TREATMENT
The most effective relief from akathisia typically comes from reducing or tapering off the medication causing it – a process that is best done carefully with medical supervision. I can help you navigate these conversations with prescribers and develop a support plan during medication changes.
However, some people develop chronic akathisia that persists even after discontinuing the offending medication. In these cases, we face a challenging reality: research on akathisia treatment (especially treatment that doesn’t add more drugs to the equation) remains limited, making our work together somewhat experimental by necessity.
There is some evidence suggesting that relaxation exercises can improve scores on akathisia rating scales. During my years working in hospital settings, I observed many clients experiencing temporary relief during dance/movement therapy sessions. Seeing people struggle with akathisia convinced me that even brief moments of relief from these intense sensations can be crucial for improving quality of life. If we can identify patterns in these windows of relief, we can help open a person’s world back up. While I acknowledge the limited evidence base, I remain committed to learning and developing strategies to help you cope with this debilitating condition.
I don't expect you to trust me right away. Many people with akathisia have had their experiences dismissed or minimized by healthcare providers. Trust develops slowly through consistently showing up, being dependable, and treating your experiences with the seriousness that they deserve.
WHY I CARE ABOUT AKATHISIA
My commitment to addressing akathisia stems from profound and disturbing firsthand observations during my work as a dance/movement therapist in hospital settings. What I witnessed wasn't simply patients experiencing discomfort; I was watching people endure what appeared to be a form of ongoing torture.
Day after day, I saw individuals trapped in a single movement—relentless pacing that continued even when they stopped to converse, their legs stepping up and down in place in a pattern so common it developed the belittling nickname, the thorazine shuffle. Through my psychomotor assessment training, I recognized this extreme movement restriction as a clear sign of distress.
What troubled me most was the institutional response. When I reported these observations to the medical team, medication reduction was rarely considered. Instead, additional medications like Cogentin or Benadryl were prescribed, often providing little meaningful relief. There seemed to be a disconnect—what I saw as obvious suffering was frequently normalized or minimized by other healthcare providers.
Witnessing this pattern over and over again changed me. I began to understand how deeply marginalized and underresourced people with akathisia are—not just by their symptoms, but by the systems meant to care for them. Their suffering was often invisible to others, or worse, dismissed. This realization has driven me to partner with those experiencing akathisia to creatively find relief. I want to be part of creating a mental health system that sees and responds to this suffering, rather than silencing it—or burying it with medication.
Getting Started Is Simple
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE 15-MINUTE PHONE CALL
The Process:
1. Choose: Self-schedule your free 15-minute phone call or intake session using my online calendar.
2. Confirm: I'll confirm your appointment within the next business day and send all the details you need.
3. Connect: Just answer your phone at the scheduled time and decide if we're a good fit to work together.