What is akathisia?

Akathisia is characterized by a feeling of inner restlessness that can compel individuals to engage in repetitive motions, such as pacing, tapping their feet, or shifting in their seat. This state of agitation often arises as a side effect of certain medications, notably antipsychotics, and it can significantly impact a person's ability to remain still or calm. The distinguishing feature of akathisia is this intense urge to move in order to relieve the discomfort of restlessness, which makes option C the most accurate description of the condition.

The other choices do not accurately capture the essence of akathisia. Slowness of movement refers to bradykinesia, typically associated with conditions such as Parkinson's disease. Involuntary muscle contractions refer to a phenomenon like dystonia, while uncontrollable spasms of muscle groups describe conditions such as tetany or spasmodic disorders. Each of these describes different medical phenomena, but they do not encompass the inner restlessness and motor activity that define akathisia.