Agitation is a state of severe restlessness or inner tension. It can present in many ways and has several medical causes. Brief, mild episodes are also just a part of being human. But agitation that’s frequent or severe is often a sign of an underlying issue. It’s important to see a healthcare provider if agitation interferes with your day-to-day life.
Agitation is a feeling of irritability, mental distress or severe restlessness. It may feel like inner tension. And it often involves involuntary (out of your control) behaviors that serve no clear purpose, like fidgeting. Agitation can range from mild to severe and can develop rapidly or slowly. It can be brief or long-lasting.
Agitation can develop from a wide range of medical conditions. But brief, mild episodes of agitation are also a normal part of being human. Stressful or frustrating situations can make you feel agitated.
You may be wondering: How do I know if agitation is a medical problem? There’s not a clear answer. But if agitation is interfering with your day-to-day life, relationships or work, you should see a healthcare provider for help. If agitation escalates to aggression, suicidal behaviors or violence, you should seek immediate medical help.
Researchers don’t know the exact cause of agitation. But they think it involves an imbalance of certain neurotransmitters (chemical messengers), like dopamine, serotonin and others.
Examples of behaviors and characteristics of agitation include:
Sometimes, people express agitation as aggression. This can be verbal or physical and be directed at objects or other people. In some cases, agitation may lead to self-harm. An agitation crisis happens when a person is so agitated that they could be dangerous to themselves or others.
Not everyone experiencing agitation will have all these behaviors or characteristics. You may be able to recognize that you’re agitated, or you may not be aware of it.
It’s very important to seek medical help if you or a loved one are experiencing frequent or worsening agitation. Agitation may lead to an increased risk of suicide and violence.
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Agitation can develop due to many issues and situations, like:
It’s also common to experience mild, brief agitation without having an underlying condition.
Some of the most common medical causes include:
Agitation can be a part of certain mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, like:
Experiencing intense stress or trauma can trigger or escalate agitation. New environments — like being in a hospital — can also trigger agitation or make it worse.
Agitation is a common part of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Changes to your brain make it difficult to process new information. And dementia causes an imbalance of neurotransmitters, too. These can both trigger agitation.
Your healthcare team can work with you and your loved ones to address agitation in dementia and reduce triggers of it. This may include strategies like simplifying your routine and environment. Medication may also help.
Treatment for agitation depends on several factors, like:
If a physical or mental health condition is causing agitation, treating the underlying cause is the main goal. But the behaviors of agitation — like combativeness — can make it difficult to receive treatment. Because of this, healthcare providers have several strategies for initially managing agitation. In general, they include:
If agitation is a symptom of a chronic (long-term) condition you have, your provider will work with you to figure out a treatment plan. Medication and psychotherapy (talk therapy) are usually key parts of the plan.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider if you’re concerned about agitation episodes — the sooner you get help, the better.
You may need medical treatment for moderate to severe episodes of agitation. But for mild episodes, the following strategies may help you relieve agitation:
If agitation is a part of a chronic condition you have, it may take some time to figure out which strategies work best for you. Try to make a plan so you know what to do when agitation begins.
If you or a loved one have experienced significant agitation before, take steps to develop an action plan in case the agitation gets worse. Start by talking with your healthcare team. They can offer guidance on de-escalation strategies and the best places to seek medical treatment quickly.
Agitation often comes from a feeling of loss of control. So, techniques that center on the person and don’t force them into situations or treatment offer the best chance for a fast recovery.
General techniques for de-escalating an agitated person include:
Remember that your safety and the safety of others is the highest priority. Maintain a safe distance and avoid being alone with someone who’s potentially violent. If there’s a risk of imminent violence, remove yourself from the situation and seek safety. Call 911 or your local emergency services for help.
If agitation is a frequent issue — or it becomes severe — it can lead to certain complications, like:
For all these reasons, it’s important to see your healthcare provider if you or a loved one are experiencing frequent or severe episodes of agitation.
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See your healthcare provider for agitation that:
If you have suicidal thoughts or behavior, dial 988 on your phone to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also dial 911 or the local emergency number or go to the hospital emergency room.
Agitation is a normal part of being human. But sometimes, it can get out of hand. If you’re feeling like you’re agitated more often than not, or if your agitation has escalated to aggression or violence toward yourself or others, it’s important to seek help. Your healthcare provider is there to help you, not judge you. They can investigate the underlying cause of agitation and offer a treatment plan.
Last reviewed on 06/24/2024.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy