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Medical Health Encyclopedia
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Central nervous system
Central nervous system


Agitation

Alternative Names:
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.

Text Continues Below



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:

Your health care provider will obtain a medical history from either the patient or a family member and do a physical examination.

To help better understand your agitation, your doctor may ask the following:

  • 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?
    • Does the patient take any medications, in particular, steroids or thyroid medicine?
    • How much alcohol does the patient drink?
    • How much caffeine does the patient drink?
    • Does the patient use any drugs, in particular, cocaine, narcotics, or amphetamines (speed)?
  • 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 may include:

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