Mikhaila Peterson Reveals Father’s Devastating Neurological Injury | WATCH
In a heart-wrenching update, Mikhaila Peterson reveals that Jordan Peterson is battling a severe neurological injury and akathisia induced by past psychiatric medication. Sharing her own "devastating" withdrawal story, Mikhaila issues a dire warning about the pharmaceutical industry's hidden risks and why she’s done giving personal updates.
Mikhaila Peterson, daughter of psychologist and author Jordan Peterson, posted a personal video update on X, detailing her father’s ongoing health challenges.
In the video and accompanying post, she stated that the family has concluded Jordan Peterson is suffering from a psych medication-induced neurological injury, specifically akathisia. She explained:
“We figured out that dad has a psych med induced neurological injury, and has been suffering from akathisia. It’s been 6 years since any psych medications. Last summer his symptoms started, after a flare up likely induced by mold (CIRS) and stress. It was complicated by pneumonia and associated sepsis a month later. It’s been horrible.”
Mikhaila emphasized that neurological injuries from psychiatric medications are far more common than commonly acknowledged. She created the video to raise awareness about these injuries and akathisia, noting that they are often misdiagnosed, extremely difficult to treat, and downplayed by the pharmaceutical industry.
Akathisia is a movement disorder characterized by a subjective feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to be in constant motion. The term comes from the Greek word akathisi, meaning "inability to sit."
While it might look like simple fidgeting to an observer, for the person experiencing it, it is often described as a form of "inner torture."
Akathisia is distinct from typical anxiety because it has a specific physical component.
She added that she does not plan to provide further personal updates about her father, as it causes significant stress to the family, and will instead focus on advocating for greater awareness of psych medication injuries.
Mikhaila’s Own Struggles with Antidepressants
In the same video, Mikhaila openly discussed how psychiatric medication injury has also affected her own health. She revealed that she personally experienced severe difficulties when coming off antidepressants, describing the process as devastating and life-altering.
She explained that going off the medications triggered serious symptoms and long-term complications, which contributed to both her physical and mental health challenges. Mikhaila noted that the experience was so profound that it has motivated her to speak out more forcefully about the risks and hidden harms of psychiatric drugs. She shared that the injury has impacted her life in significant ways, pointing to the personal toll these medications can take even years after discontinuation.
Mikhaila included a direct warning in her post for anyone currently taking psychiatric medications, particularly long-term benzodiazepines, advising them not to suddenly stop or taper if they are currently stable, and to research carefully due to the potential risks.
She provided extensive links to research papers, patient testimonies, resources on safe tapering, mitochondrial dysfunction, mold illness (CIRS), and the potential benefits of ketogenic and carnivore diets for recovery.
The post and video have received widespread attention, with many followers expressing support and prayers for the Peterson family. Jordan Peterson has previously spoken publicly about his own past struggles with benzodiazepine dependency.
The family has requested privacy moving forward until there is positive progress to report.