Agitation is a feeling of aggravation or restlessness brought on by provocation or a medical condition. It is normal for people to feel agitated from time to time. It is often a direct result of everyday stresses caused by work or school. However, if you have agitation that seems to occur for no reason, you should make an appointment to have it checked out by your doctor.
Agitation is a feeling experienced by
everyone at least once in their lives. It is a normal emotion. In the majority
of cases, it is not a cause for worry or concern.
Some common causes for agitation include:
·
work stress
·
grief
·
feeling ill
·
burn-out
·
peer pressure
·
school stress
When it is short-lived, agitation
does not usually lead to significant complications. However, certain medical
conditions can cause agitation. These include:
·
anxiety disorders
·
disorders or conditions that cause
imbalances in your hormones, such as testosterone and estrogen
·
mental illnesses, such as bipolar
disorder and schizophrenia
In some rare cases, a tumour—an
abnormal growth—that is located in the brain can cause changes in your mood and
attitude, such as unprovoked agitation.
Autistic children may also experience
agitation if they are around the things that trigger them, such as bright colours
or loud noises.
During your appointment, your doctor
will try to determine if your agitation is caused by a mental health disorder
or a medical condition.
He or she will ask questions
concerning your medical history and lifestyle. Then, he or she may take a blood
sample to test for certain hormone levels.
If your doctor does not suspect a
medical condition, he or she will refer you to a mental health specialist. This
mental health specialist will go over your symptoms and your everyday
activities, in order to determine a cause for the agitation.
If the cause still remains unknown,
more in-depth testing may be necessary. You may need a computed tomography (CT)
scan or a MRI of your head. Your doctor may also order a spinal tap or urine
test.
Agitation is often a treatable
symptom.
Hormonal Imbalances
If a medical condition is affecting
how hormones are released from your brain, your hormone levels can generally be
corrected through the use of certain medications. In some cases, this
medication will need to be taken over an extended amount of time. These types
of treatments are often prescribed to women going through menopause or people
with imbalances in their thyroid glands.
Abnormal Growth in the Brain
A brain tumour that causes agitation
will be treated according to its size and location. If the tumour is too
difficult to remove with surgery, your doctor may choose to carefully monitor
the growth. In some cases, he or she may use an aggressive treatment method,
such as chemotherapy, to shrink it. If the growth can be removed safely, your
doctor will refer you to a surgeon to perform the procedure.
Mental Illness
Agitation caused by mental illnesses
can be treated in therapy. In a typical therapy session, you will go over your
symptoms and develop efficient ways to deal with them. If therapy is not
helping in your particular case, you may have to take a medication to help you
to stay calm. These medications may be taken over a long course of time, or
only when you feel agitated.
Stress
Agitation caused by stress at work or
school may be relieved through deep breathing exercises. Deep breathing can
help restore calm in that it allows you to focus on breathing rather than the
situations causing you to feel agitated.
You may also discuss your stress with
your boss or teacher to see if there are effective ways to reduce it. If you
feel you are being overworked, discuss it with your supervisor. This may help
you to feel less agitated.
Some people find meditation to be a
soothing practice for relaxation and combating agitation. Meditation is also
particularly helpful in preventing agitation.
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