MISSD

06/19/2026

Recently $238.6 million has been allocated for the 988 su***de crisis hotline specifically to "curb psychiatric overprescribing" and "drive deprescribing when clinically indicated."

Yet 988's official "What to Expect" guidance lists counselors asking about safety, feelings, and social situation—but medication questions are NOT routine.

This gap needs fixing. If the government is investing millions to address psychiatric medication overuse through 988, counselors MUST routinely screen for medications during every call. This is critical for:

✓ Assessing side effects that may contribute to crisis
✓ Identifying inappropriate polypharmacy or contraindications
✓ Connecting callers to informed care about their treatment
✓ Supporting accurate info and shared decision-making

988 should make medication questions standard. People in mental health crisis need comprehensive support—including understanding akathisia and adverse drug effects that can precipitate self-harm, violence, and su***de.

06/17/2026

Yet another BMJ rapid response highlights the continued failure to recognize medication adverse effects—including akathisia—as a preventable contributor to su***de risk.

MISSD Foundation’s BMJ submission is cited as an important resource for identifying these effects, yet this knowledge remains largely absent from frontline training and guidance.

While patient information leaflets warn of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, these risks are still too often overlooked in practice.

Recent developments—including the Prevention of Future Deaths report following Thomas Kingston’s death and the MHRA’s ongoing review—reinforce the urgency.

Article Related content Article metrics Rapid responses Response Rapid Response: Re: Strengthening the UK primary healthcare response to suicidal ideation Dear Editor Reading this Editorial (1) and the related new BMJ commissioned ‘Clinical Update’ article (2) is deeply troubling. We have been t...

06/16/2026

It's deeply ironic that a psychiatrist harmed by akathisia who spoke out to better inform others was then systematically harmed by his own professional body.

After publicly raising questions about antidepressant withdrawal, lack of informed consent, and conflicts of interest, Dr. Peter Gordon was met with suspicion and distancing.

He describes the "distressing and isolating experience of being gaslighted by his peers. The profession was utilising its unique power – the power to diagnose and deem someone mentally unstable – to undermine his credibility as a critic.”

For decades, patients reporting severe withdrawal were told it was “rare, mild, or relapse.” Now, the narrative is shifting, but without accountability for past denial.

MISSD advocates for transparency, safer prescribing, and proper recognition of medication-induced akathisia.

Treatment with SSRIs led to a thirty-year dependency & ongoing toll on his physical health, demonstrating both institutional denial & systemic lack of informed consent.

06/12/2026

It was a good week with the release of our latest public health video and our Rapid Response in the BMJ. Together, we're closing the patient safety gap through accurate info, comprehensive risk assessment, education and training.

Email from MISSD New Public Health Video + MISSD’s BMJ Rapid Response Out Now: New Pharma-Style Akathisia Video & BMJ Rapid Response Our new public health video highlights how drug commercials downpla

06/10/2026

Akathisia awareness and questions about medication should be a routine part of any comprehensive su***de assessment and prevention training.

When this safe-patient gap is overlooked in medical training and clinician guidance, we speak up.

Read our latest Rapid Response in today's BMJ.

Article Related content Article metrics Rapid responses Response Rapid Response: Medication-induced akathisia: An overlooked contributor to su***de risk and iatrogenic harm Dear Editor, We welcome the BMJ’s focus on improving recognition and management of suicidal ideation in primary care. Early r...

06/09/2026

A new BMJ clinical update highlights the importance of recognizing suicidal ideation, asking direct questions about su***de, and providing timely support.

But while MISSD welcomes this focus on su***de prevention, there is a glaring omission:

When evaluating suicidality, clinicians should routinely ask questions about medication and any medication changes. Akathisia, withdrawal effects, and other psychiatric adverse drug reactions should always be considered as part of any comprehensive su***de prevention program.

While better recognition and earlier intervention is needed, both evidence and training gaps need addressing Su***de claims 720 000 lives globally annually,1 with the UK alone seeing roughly 20 deaths by su***de each day.2 Effective su***de prevention requires action at all levels, including from go...

06/08/2026

When symptoms have a name, they can be recognized.
When they are accurately recognized, they can be managed. Akathisia awareness saves lives.

06/08/2026

Our new public health video spotlights how commercials for drugs associated with akathisia routinely fail to mention akathisia.
This has to change.

"Recognition is the first step toward prevention." -- Wendy Dolin, MISSD Founder

"Let's Call It What It Is: Akathisia" highlights a medication-induced disorder associated with serious psychiatric adverse effects

06/05/2026

"I didn't know how serous benzodiazepines were, which I wish I did." - Brandon Lawes, Akathisia Stories, Episode 7

Brandon's Full Episodehttps://youtu.be/eduvleaC4HEIndependent n...

06/01/2026

🎙️ NEW AKATHISIA STORIES EPISODE
Brandon Lawes shares his experience with medication-induced akathisia following a prescription for Ativan, including years of misdiagnosis, severe neurological symptoms, and the struggle to have drug-induced injury recognized.

In this episode, Brandon discusses:
▪️ Akathisia and benzodiazepines
▪️ Drug-gene interactions (CYP450)
▪️ Misdiagnosis and medical gaslighting
▪️ Patient advocacy and informed consent
▪️ Preventing medication-induced su***de, self-harm, and violence

Brandon's story is a powerful reminder that akathisia remains one of the most underrecognized medication-induced neuropsychiatric disorders.
🎧 Listen now and share to help raise awareness.

Akathisia, Metabolism, and Misdiagnosis: Brandon’s StoryIndepend...