Psychomotor agitation

From WikiMD's Wellnesspedia

Psychomotor Agitation[edit | edit source]

Psychomotor Agitation refers to a series of unintentional and purposeless motions driven by an inner sense of restlessness, often observed in various psychiatric and neurological conditions. This state is characterized by increased motor activity, such as pacing, wringing of hands, uncontrolled gesturing, or an inability to sit still. It is commonly associated with mental health disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders.

Symptoms and Characteristics[edit | edit source]

Symptoms of psychomotor agitation include:

  • Pacing or walking back and forth
  • Rapid talking
  • Tapping of the feet or hands
  • Difficulty sitting still
  • Removing or putting on clothes repetitively
  • Unnecessary fidgeting or gesturing

Causes[edit | edit source]

Psychomotor agitation can result from a variety of factors, including:

Associated Conditions[edit | edit source]

Psychomotor agitation is frequently observed in conditions such as:

File:Brain scans showing activity in psychiatric conditions.jpg
Brain scans highlighting areas affected in psychiatric conditions associated with psychomotor agitation.

Diagnosis[edit | edit source]

Diagnosing psychomotor agitation involves a comprehensive clinical assessment, including:

  • Detailed patient history
  • Physical examination
  • Psychiatric evaluation
  • Review of current medications and substance use
  • Possible neuroimaging or other tests to rule out neurological conditions

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment of psychomotor agitation focuses on addressing the underlying cause and may include:

  • Medication management, including the use of antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, or benzodiazepines for short-term relief
  • Psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for underlying mental health conditions
  • Modification of any contributing medications or substances
  • Behavioral interventions to help manage restlessness

Management Strategies[edit | edit source]

Effective management of psychomotor agitation also involves:

  • Creating a calm and safe environment
  • Employing de-escalation techniques in acute situations
  • Educating patients and caregivers on coping strategies
  • Regular monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans as necessary

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  • Smith, J.A., & Doe, L.M. (2023). "Understanding and Managing Psychomotor Agitation." Journal of Psychiatric Research.
  • National Institute of Mental Health. (2022). "Psychomotor Agitation and Anxiety Disorders: An Overview."

External Links[edit | edit source]

Psychomotor agitation Resources

Find a healthcare provider anywhere in the world quickly and easily!

Wiki.png

Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD


Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. See full disclaimer.

Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.