I’ve been having this very uncomfortable feeling of inner restlessness for several months, and it’s gradually become worse to the point that it’s almost unbearable to not be moving. It feels a lot like anxiety —- there’s a constant gnawing in my abdomen and I’m ruminating on things like people not liking me, failing at my job, and loved ones dying and me being alone. There is also this feeling that I need to keep moving and keep doing things. It’s hard to just sit and relax. I keep waking at 2AM and just lay there for 4 more hours. Cognitively, I can tell I’m not as mentally organized as usual, and it’s hard to maintain focus, but I’m able to go to work and am not delusional or hallucinating.

I called my pdoc and she said it was a side effect — akithesia— of risperidal and prescribed propranolol. But it doesn’t seem to be helping. I have an appointment with her next week and will mention all this, but was wondering if this could be bipolar symptoms poking through instead of a medication side effect?

Has anyone had this feeling I’m describing? What caused it? Did anything help?