Agitation: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Agitation Causes, Symptoms, and Management

Introduction

Agitation is when someone is very emotional, uneasy, and feels irritated, and this can cause different physical and mental changes. In medical, psychiatric, and neurological cases, anxiety is common and may be mild or very severe, leading in some cases to aggressive actions. It is important for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and people affected by agitation to learn about what causes it, what its symptoms are, and how to manage the condition.

The article looks into what leads to agitation, its signs, and techniques for coping with and stopping agitation in different places.

 

What Is Agitation?

When a person is agitated, they experience more activity, aggressive words, irritation, and have difficulty staying calm. Usually, pain is connected to anxiety, frustration, or discomfort and it can be either short-lived or long-lasting.

Agitation does not mean you have a certain illness, but it can be a sign of something else.

·        Diseases such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression are called psychiatric disorders.

·        Examples of such conditions are dementia, traumatic brain injury, and Parkinson’s disease.

·        Diseases of the body that include infections, imbalances in metabolic processes, or pain.

·        Consuming or not having stimulants, opioids, or alcohol.

Since agitation can sometimes end in aggressive or self-harming behavior, quick help is needed.

 

Causes of Agitation

There are various causes of agitation, for example, biological, psychological, and environmental triggers. The significant reasons are explained below:

1. Psychiatric Disorders

Many mental health issues may cause a person to become agitated.

·        Anxiety Disorders: Restlessness and irritability can be experienced by someone with generalized anxiety, panic attacks, or PTSD.

·        Mood Disorders: Bipolar disorder and severe depression may sometimes cause agitation in people with Mood Disorders.

·        Psychotic Disorders: Schizophrenia and similar disorders can cause a patient to become agitated because of hallucinations or suspicion.

·        Personality Disorders: Borderline personality disorder (BPD) usually brings about intense feelings and sudden behavioral outbursts.

2. Neurological Conditions

A lot of disorders affecting the brain can lead to agitation.

·        Dementia (Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, Vascular): Alzheimer’s, Lewy Body, and Vascular Dementia can cause someone to feel confused, lose their memory, and get upset, which may result in agitation.

·        Parkinson’s Disease & Huntington’s Disease: In Parkinson’s Disease & Huntington’s Disease, neurodegenerative changes influence someone’s mood and behavior.

·        Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI may sometimes cause people to become irritable because of damage to the brain parts that handle emotions.

·        Stroke: After a stroke, patients regularly suffer from post-stroke agitation as the brain has been damaged.

3. Medical Conditions

Difficulties with physical health can cause a person to become agitated.

·        Infections (UTIs, sepsis, encephalitis): With infections (UTIs, sepsis, encephalitis), fever and overall sickness make the pets more irritable.

·        Metabolic disorders: such as hypoglycemia, changes in electrolytes, and thyroid problems interfere with the function of the brain.

·        Chronic Pain: If chronic pain lasts, it tends to cause irritation and make people restless.

·        Medication Side Effects: Some drugs can cause agitation as a possible side effect, such as steroids, stimulants, and some antidepressants.

4. Substance-Related Causes

·        Intoxication: Consuming alcohol, cocaine, or amphetamines increases a person’s agitation and restlessness.

·        Withdrawal: Stopping abruptly from using alcohol, benzodiazepines, or opioids can cause a person to become very agitated and confused.

5. Environmental & Psychological Factors

·        Stress & Trauma: Agitation in patients may be brought on by challenging life experiences.

·        Sleep Deprivation: A tired mind has trouble controlling emotions.

·        Sensory Overload: Too much noise or chaos in an environment makes agitation worse for those who are vulnerable.

 

Symptoms of Agitation

People with agitation experience emotional, behavioral, and physical signs at the same time.

Emotional Symptoms

·        Irritability

·        Anxiety

·        Anger and hostility

·        Emotional instability

Behavioral Symptoms

·        Difficulty with calming down

·        Yelling and giving threats

·        Actions such as hitting and throwing things

·        Not being able to remain still

Physical Symptoms

·        Rapid or quickened heartbeat

·        Sweating

·        Tremors

·        Muscle tension

In more serious circumstances, agitated people may harm themselves or others, which calls for urgent help.

 

Read Also: Sleep and Mental Health

Management of Agitation

Managing these conditions depends on the right use of non-medical and medical treatments that suit the main reason for the condition.

1. Non-Pharmacological Strategies

De-escalation Techniques

·        Calm Communication: Speak in a calm voice, keep your sentences short, and don’t use words that are argumentative.

·        Active Listening: While listening, make sure to accept the person’s feelings without passing judgment.

·        Personal Space: Trying to intimidate others can be avoided by keeping a reasonable distance from them.

Environmental Modifications

·        Lower the volume of sound and turn off bright lights.

·        Set up a place that is peaceful and cozy.

·        Present things that dementia patients find familiar to them.

Behavioral Interventions

·        Distraction Techniques: Try taking part in activities that calm you (listening to music, drawing).

·        Routine Structure: Following the same schedule lowers anxiety for people with dementia.

·        Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) assists in controlling agitation in people with anxiety and mood problems.

 

2. Pharmacological Treatments

Medication use should be done carefully in older people, since side effects are more likely to happen to them.

First-Line Medications

·        Benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, Diazepam): Lorazepam and Diazepam belong to the benzodiazepines and are used to treat sudden acute agitation (because long-term use may cause addiction).

·        Antipsychotics (Haloperidol, Risperidone, Quetiapine): These medications (Haloperidol, Risperidone, Quetiapine) may be used for treatment of agitation in people with psychosis and dementia.

·        SSRIs/SNRIs (Sertraline, Venlafaxine): Sertraline and Venlafaxine (SSRIs/SNRIs) are usually used for long-lasting agitation in depression/anxiety.

Other Options

·        Mood Stabilizers (Lithium, Valproate): Lithium and Valproate are given for people with bipolar disorder who are experiencing agitation.

·        Melatonin or Trazodone: When there is agitation connected to sleep disturbances, Melatonin or Trazodone can be used.

3. Emergency Management

If things turn violent, law enforcement should be called.

·        Make the environment safe by taking away anything dangerous.

·        Use physical methods of restraint only when there is no other choice.

·        Give fast-acting drugs (IM Lorazepam or Haloperidol) to patients.

 

Prevention of Agitation

Prevention methods are:

·        Regular Medical Check-ups: Choose to go for regular check-ups to identify health problems at an early stage.

·        Stress Management: Try mindfulness and different relaxation techniques.

·        Medication Adherence: Sticking to medication ensures that psychiatric patients do not suffer a relapse or withdrawal.

·        Caregiver Education: It is important for caregivers to understand how to spot the early signs of agitation.

 

Conclusion

Agitation can be caused by many things, such as mental health conditions, brain problems, medical conditions, or the environment. If you detect early signs and use proper ways to calm the person, behaviors to control their actions, and appropriate medications, agitation can be managed well.

For the best results, therapists should always keep the person’s individual situation and issues in mind. More efforts in exploring new therapies and medicines will help manage agitation for patients both in clinics and at home.

A good understanding of agitation helps healthcare providers and caregivers improve the daily life of affected people and prevent additional distress and harm.