akathisia
/æ.kəˈθɪ.si.ə/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: 1.61 in modern English
16
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
1
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A sensation of restlessness characterized by an inability to sit still/down or remain motionless/seated, arising from a subjective need or desire to move, often coinciding with the sensation of twitching of muscles, often as a side effect of psychiatric medications.
Countable; Uncountable
Example Sentences
- "Haskowic first described this condition last November and applied the term "Akathisia" to it. The subject can seat himself and remain seated a few minutes, but then the contortions begin, and unless he gets up he suffers actual torture."
- "Central Nervous System Effects: Neuromuscular (extrapyramidal) reactions: These are usually dosage-related and may be of three forms: (1) pseudoparkinsonism, (2) akathisia (motor restlessness), and (3) dystonias."
Etymology
From a- + Ancient Greek κάθισις (káthisis, “sitting”) + -ia. See also κᾰθῐ́ζω (kăthĭ́zō, “to sit down”).