Do you sometimes feel restless, angry, or restless for no reason? Your hands and feet are fidgeting, you can't keep your mind in one place... This is what we call restlessness, or 'agitation' in medicine. While this is sometimes normal, it can also be a symptom of a medical condition. So let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
What is this agitation?
Simply put, it is a feeling of anger, stress, or intense tension. You may feel like you have a lot of pressure inside, like a little motor running inside your body. Along with this, you may also experience uncontrollable, purposeless behaviors, such as fidgeting.
This condition can be mild or severe. It can go away after a while, or it can last for days.
Think about it, it's normal to feel a little nervous when we have an exam coming up, or when we're stuck in heavy traffic. It's part of our lives. But if you feel, "This is more than normal, this is affecting my daily activities, my relationships," then it could be a medical problem. Especially if this nervousness escalates to the point of violence or thoughts of harming yourself, it's essential to seek medical advice immediately.
Researchers are still not sure what exactly causes this, but they believe it is caused by an imbalance in the chemicals in our brain that transmit messages, namely the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.
What are the symptoms of this restlessness?
These are the behaviors and characteristics that can be seen in someone with this condition. It is important to remember that not everyone will have all of these characteristics.
| Characteristic/Behavior | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Pacing | Walking around the room, unable to stay in one place. |
| Fidgeting | Things like clenching your fingers and shaking your legs. |
| Uncooperative & Hostile | Not listening to what is said, getting into fights, being angry. |
| Excessive talking | Talking quickly without stopping. |
| Difficulty focusing | Inability to focus on one thing. |
| Violent or disruptive behavior | Throwing things on the ground, verbally or physically attacking others. |
Sometimes this tension can come out as aggression. It can be in words or actions. In some cases, this situation can escalate to self-harm.
If you or someone you know experiences this type of anxiety frequently, or if you feel that the condition is getting worse, don't hesitate to see a doctor.
Why does this situation occur?
There can be many reasons for this. It can occur as a side effect of certain medications, as a complication of a sudden illness, or as a result of a long-standing medical condition. Some of the main reasons are:
- Mental health problems: This restlessness is commonly seen with conditions such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder.
- Physical conditions:
- Conditions that affect the brain, such as `Delirium` (sudden mental confusion) and `Dementia` (e.g. `Alzheimer's disease`).
- Infections in the body, especially urinary tract infections (UTIs), which occur in people over the age of 65.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Imbalance of electrolytes in the body.
- Sepsis, a severe infection.
- Head injuries.
- The period of recovery after a seizure (`Postictal seizure state`).
- Drug or alcohol use: This condition can occur during drug or alcohol use or withdrawal.
- Poisoning: This condition can also occur due to ingestion of something poisonous. If there is any suspicion of such, it is very important to immediately contact the National Poison Information Center at the Colombo National Hospital .
This condition can be triggered or exacerbated by experiencing severe stress or trauma. Facing an unfamiliar environment, such as being hospitalized, can also cause this anxiety in some people.
What are the treatments for this?
Treatment depends on several factors, including the cause, the severity of the condition, and the patient's environment (e.g., home or hospital). The main goal is to treat the underlying condition that is causing the condition. However, if the patient is acting aggressively due to anxiety, it is difficult to treat. Therefore, doctors first try to control the condition by using these methods.
- De-escalation: The doctor or nursing staff tries to calm the agitated person by talking calmly, listening to their questions, and de- escalating the situation.
- Seclusion: This condition can also be controlled by removing the person from the noisy environment and placing them in a quiet, peaceful room.
- Medication: If the above methods fail to control the condition, medication is the next step. This usually involves the use of sedatives (such as `second-generation antipsychotics` or `benzodiazepines`).
- Physical restraints: This is used only as a last resort . This method is only used if the patient is at high risk of harming themselves or others and cannot be controlled by any other method.
How can you help someone who is anxious? What can you do yourself?
Ways you can control this situation yourself
For mild anxiety, you can try these things:
- Get away from a place or person that is causing you stress.
- Get some rest in a dark, quiet room, away from distractions.
- Go for a walk, or do any other exercise you like.
- Practice meditation or deep breathing exercises.
- Listen to calming music.
- Write down what's on your mind in a book.
When dealing with someone who is restless...
If someone close to you is suffering from this condition, these things will be important to help him or her.
- Stay calm: When you speak calmly and slowly, the other person feels it too.
- Change the environment: If possible, remove people and distractions from the area. Or ask if they would like to go somewhere quiet.
- Respect personal space: Keep a safe distance. Don't forcefully touch.
- Listen: Listen carefully to what they say, without interrupting, by asking simple questions.
- Be understanding: Listen to their feelings with understanding and genuine concern, without judging.
Always remember, your safety and that of others comes first. Never be alone with someone who is likely to become violent. If there is a risk, leave the area and seek protection. If necessary, call emergency services. It is best to take them to a hospital Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU).
Take-Home Message
- Agitation is a feeling of intense inner pressure and restlessness that goes beyond just being angry.
- While this is sometimes a normal response, it can sometimes be a symptom of a physical or mental condition.
- If this condition is affecting your daily life, or if you are having thoughts or actions of harming yourself or others, see your doctor immediately.
- There are very effective treatments and management methods for this, depending on the cause. So don't be afraid to ask for help.
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