Persistent akathisia associated with early tardive dyskinesia

Two psychiatric patients developed moderate or severe oro-facial dyskinesia, and limb dyskinesia, at a relatively young age and within a year of starting antipsychotic drug-treatment. This early appearance of tardive dyskinesia was preceded by akathisia that had developed at the beginning of drug therapy and persisted, despite the reduction of their drug doses to maintenance levels. The possibility that persistent akathisia may herald the early onset of tardive dyskinesia, is discussed.