A 29-year-old man comes to the physician for describing restlessness in his legs over the past week. Three weeks ago, he was started on trifluoperazine for the treatment of schizophrenia. He reports that, since then, he has often felt compelled to pace around his house and is unable to sit or stand still. Vital signs are normal. The patient is alert, oriented, fidgety, and anxious. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Question

A 29-year-old man comes to the physician for describing restlessness in his legs over the past week. Three weeks ago, he was started on trifluoperazine for the treatment of schizophrenia. He reports that, since then, he has often felt compelled to pace around his house and is unable to sit or stand still. Vital signs are normal. The patient is alert, oriented, fidgety, and anxious.  Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this patient?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Akathisia is the most common extrapyramidal symptom. If feasible, the first intervention should be a careful reduction of the antipsychotic dose. Beta blockers such as propranolol are the first-line medical treatment.

A 29-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician for Describing Restlessness