Agitation

Alternative names:

excitement; restlessness

Home care:

A calm environment, plenty of sleep, adequate lighting, and any measure to reduce stress may help to decrease agitation. Avoid restraining an overly-agitated person if possible, since this usually makes the problem worse.

Communication of feelings is important.

Call your health care provider if:

• there is prolonged or severe agitation, especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The medical history will be obtained from either the patient or a family member, and a physical examination will be performed.

Medical history questions documenting agitation in detail may include:

• type
  • Is the patient more talkative than usual or is there a feeling of pressure to keep talking?
  • Does the patient show increased purposeless activity (e.g., pacing, hand wringing)?
  • Is the patient extremely restless?
  • Is the patient trembling or twitching?

• time pattern
  • Was the agitation a short episode?
  • Is the agitation persistent?
    • How long did it persist--for how many day(s)?

• aggravating factors
  • Does the agitation seem to be triggered by reminders of a traumatic event?
  • Did you notice anything else that may have triggered agitation?

• other
  • What other symptoms are also present?
  • Is there confusion, memory loss, hyperactivity, or hostility (these symptoms may play an important role in diagnosis).

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• blood studies (such as CBC or blood differential)
• head CT scan
• lumbar puncture
• cranial MRI (head)
• vital signs (temperature, pulse, rate of breathing, blood pressure)
• X-rays of the skull

After seeing your health care provider:
You may want to add a diagnosis related to agitation to your personal medical record.