The Four Faces of Agitation: Recognizing the Symptoms
The symptoms of agitation are diverse and can appear in physical, behavioral, verbal, and emotional ways. The intensity can range from mild, visible restlessness to severe, aggressive behavior, but all forms stem from the same core of inner turmoil.
| Behavioral & Motor | Verbal & Vocal | Emotional & Cognitive | Physical |
| * Constant, aimless movement, such as pacing or walking around restlessly. | * Speaking very rapidly and loudly, often in a way that seems uncontrolled. | * Intense feelings of anxiety, tension, impatience, and an inability to relax. | * Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and quickened breathing. |
| * Repetitive, purposeless actions like wringing hands, tapping fingers, or pulling at clothing. | * Using an argumentative, hostile, or threatening tone in conversation. | * A powerful feeling of losing control over one’s own thoughts, emotions, or actions. | * Excessive sweating and noticeable trembling in the hands or body. |
| * Inability to cooperate with instructions or attempts at care from others. | * Asking the same questions or bringing up the same topic repeatedly. | * Racing thoughts (thought flights), especially in manic states, making focus difficult. | * Noticeable muscle tension throughout the body. |
| * Aggressive actions, such as hitting objects or, in severe cases, physical violence. | * Making inappropriate or nonsensical statements that are out of context. | * In cases of psychosis, paranoia (unfounded suspicions) or hallucinations may be present. | * Difficulty falling asleep or a severely reduced need for sleep. |
It’s vital to remember that these symptoms are not intentional bad behavior; they are the external expression of severe internal distress that the individual cannot control.
These wide-ranging symptoms are driven by specific underlying causes.