Knowra Psychomotor agitation Psychomotor agitation Psychomotor agitation is excessive physical activity accompanied by inner tension, often expressed as pacing, fidgeting, or inability to remain still. It can occur in psychiatric, neurological, medical, or substance-related conditions.
Akathisia : A distressing sense of inner restlessness, often accompanied by an urge to move and difficulty sitting still. It resembles agitation, but is often a medication-induced movement syndrome with a distinctive subjective urge.
Mental status examination : A structured clinical assessment of appearance, behavior, mood, thought, perception, cognition, and insight. It documents the movements, attention, speech, and emotional state that characterize agitation.
Antipsychotic : A medication used primarily to treat psychosis and, in some cases, other psychiatric symptoms. Some antipsychotics can cause akathisia, which may be mistaken for worsening agitation.
Suicide risk assessment : A clinical evaluation of factors that may increase or reduce a person's risk of suicide. Agitation can accompany acute distress, so clinicians assess suicidal thoughts and immediate safety directly.
Psychomotor retardation : A slowing of thought, speech, and physical movement, commonly associated with depression and other disorders. It is the opposite psychomotor pattern: movement and response slow rather than accelerate.
Delirium : An acute, fluctuating disturbance in attention and awareness caused by an underlying medical condition or substance. New agitation with inattention or confusion can signal delirium and require urgent medical evaluation.
Stimulant intoxication : A harmful state caused by excessive exposure to stimulant drugs, with effects such as agitation, insomnia, and elevated heart rate. Stimulant intoxication can produce marked restlessness and heightened arousal.
Restraint (medical) : A physical or medication-based intervention that restricts a patient's movement in a healthcare setting. Restraint may be considered only when immediate danger persists after less restrictive measures fail.
Autonomic nervous system : The part of the nervous system that regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate, sweating, and digestion. Autonomic arousal can accompany agitation, producing signs such as sweating and a racing heart.
Mania : A period of abnormally elevated, expansive, or irritable mood with increased energy and other characteristic symptoms. Agitation may occur during mania alongside reduced need for sleep, rapid speech, and impulsive behavior.
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