IDIOPATHIC RESTLESS LEGS SYNDROME AND PSYCHOSES

There are no previous reports concerning comorbidity of psychosis and idiopathic familial restless legs syndrome (RLS). In the psychiatric l iterature the concept ''Ekbom's syndrome'' has been equated with delus ions of parasitosis and not to a paresthetic, organic disorder. Psycho tic patients invariably receive the diagnosis of akathisia. We report a family with genetic disposition to idiopathic RLS and psychotic illn ess. Excellent short-term treatment effect of tramadol for idiopathic RLS is reported for the first time. Four-limb actometry, a novel metho d for diagnosing and measuring RLS and akathisia, is described. We sug gest that the relationship of RLS, psychosis, and idiopathic or drug-i nduced akathisia has been obscured by nosologic difficulties. RLS shou ld be considered a diagnosis and treated even among psychotic patients , although it may be rare. Tramadol may be useful in short-term treatm ent of RLS.