The Relationship of Akathisia With Suicidality and Depersonalization Among Patients With Schizophrenia

An association of suicidality & depersonalization with akathisia has been reported, but it is not clear whether these phenomena are specific to akathisia or are nonspecific manifestations of distress. The authors used the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, & Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (Ham-D) to examine the relationships between suicidality, depersonalization, dysphoria, & akathisia in 68 adult patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder. Akathisia was associated with higher scores on the Ham-D ratings of suicidality, depersonalization, & agitation. In a logistic regression model, depressive mood & subjective awareness of akathisia appeared to be the only predictors of suicidality & depersonalization, respectively. (27 refs)