In restless legs syndrome, how is the urge to move the legs typically described?

Study for the ABPN Exam in Psychiatry and Neurology. Use our quiz with multiple choice questions, each question includes hints and explanations. Get ready to excel in your exam!

In restless legs syndrome (RLS), individuals often describe the urge to move their legs as being accompanied by uncomfortable sensations. These sensations can include feelings of tingling, crawling, or itching, and they typically occur when a person is at rest, particularly in the evening or at night. This discomfort drives individuals to move their legs to alleviate the sensations, which provides temporary relief. The distinctive nature of these uncomfortable sensations is a key feature that helps differentiate RLS from other conditions.

While it's true that the urge to move may be less intense during physical activity, the hallmark of RLS is that the symptoms are most pronounced during periods of inactivity and are specifically relieved by movement. Therefore, the experience of uncomfortable sensations is crucial in understanding the condition and is why it is the correct descriptor in this context.

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