Agitation

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Central nervous system

Agitation is an unpleasant state of extreme arousal (stirred up or excited), increased tension, and irritability.

Restlessness

Agitation can come on suddenly or over time. It can last for just a few minutes, or for weeks and even months. Pain, stress, and fever can all increase agitation.

Agitation by itself may not be a sign of a health problem. However, if other symptoms occur, it can be a sign of disease.

When agitation lasts for hours and there is a change in alertness (altered consciousness), doctors call this delirium. Delerium always has a medical cause.

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There are many causes of agitation, some of which include:

• Alcohol intoxication or withdrawal
• Caffeine intoxication
• Intoxication or withdrawal from drugs of abuse (such as cocaine, marijuana, hallucinogens, PCP, or opiates)
• Hospitalization (older adults often have delirium while in the hospital)
• Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland)
• Infection (more often in elderly people)
• Medical tests that involve injecting a "contrast medium" into the patient
• Nicotine withdrawal
• Theophylline or other medicines
• Vitamin B6 deficiency

Agitation can occur with brain and mental health disorders, such as:

• Anxiety
• Bipolar disorder
• Dementia (such as Alzheimer's disease)
• Depression
• Schizophrenia

Review Date: 02/28/2010
Reviewed By: Linda Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Michelle Benger Merrill, MD, Instructor in Clinical Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).