Agitation (medical)
| Agitation | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Psychomotor agitation, restlessness |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, Neurology, Emergency medicine |
| Symptoms | Excessive motor activity, restlessness, pacing, hand-wringing, fidgeting, verbal outbursts |
| Complications | Injury, aggression, worsening of underlying condition |
| Usual onset | Variable |
| Duration | Variable, often acute |
| Causes | Psychiatric conditions (e.g. schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), delirium, substance use, withdrawal, medication side effects |
| Risk factors | Underlying psychiatric or neurological disorders, drug or alcohol use |
| Differential diagnosis | Anxiety, akathisia, delirium, psychosis |
| Prevention | Management of underlying conditions, medication adherence, early recognition |
| Treatment | Sedation, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, behavioral interventions |
| Prognosis | Depends on cause and treatment |
| Frequency | Common in psychiatric and emergency settings |
Agitation is a state of heightened motor and cognitive activity characterized by excessive or inappropriate verbal and physical behaviors, emotional excitement, and restlessness, often arising as a symptom of underlying medical, psychiatric, or neurological conditions. It is considered both a medical and psychiatric emergency due to the potential for harm to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, and may escalate to aggression or violence if not promptly recognized and managed.