Mikhaila Peterson is sounding the alarm on her father’s health, describing a brutal relapse tied to a neurological condition she says has pushed the family to the brink.
“Dad’s been suffering from an old neurological injury that’s more recently been causing akathisia. Akathisia is the worst thing I’ve ever seen anyone go through. That sounds dramatic, but it’s true,” Mikhaila Peterson said.
“This has been unbelievably hard on my family. Every day for the last year has been hell,” she said.
Akathisia is a documented neuropsychiatric condition marked by extreme restlessness, agitation, and mental distress. It’s often linked to certain psychiatric drugs or withdrawal from them. The disorder can leave sufferers unable to sit still or relax, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Mikhaila Peterson shared the update in a YouTube video, saying her father, Canadian psychologist and author Jordan Peterson, is dealing with a recurrence of the condition after battling it years ago.
She said the latest episode may trace back to a depressant drug he previously used, which initially triggered akathisia. Though she said he has not taken psychiatric medications since, she believes recent personal stress set off a new flare-up.
Peterson speaks at a Turning Point USA event (Creative Commons)
Peterson has largely stayed out of the public eye in recent months following a string of well-documented health issues, including prior hospitalizations.
Mikhaila Peterson, who said she has experienced akathisia herself, described it as feeling like having “severe restless legs, but also in my arms and body” along with an “almost hallucinogenic” stress response.
She said her father’s condition is far worse and has deteriorated in recent months.
“It is intolerable discomfort that makes people want to crawl out of their skin. It’s a neurological injury really, a lot of people don’t survive it and there’s no quick fix,” she said.
She also pointed to her father’s history of “severe, crippling, life-ruining depression,” which she said runs in the family and led to his past use of psychiatric medication.
According to her account, Peterson struggled for a time to get an accurate diagnosis while also dealing with sepsis and pneumonia before doctors identified the issue as akathisia.
She said the condition can be “carefully healed” under proper medical care, though she did not detail his treatment.
Mikhaila Peterson added that she may not continue sharing updates, citing the intense strain the situation has placed on the family.
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