A calm environment, plenty of sleep, adequate lighting, and any measure to reduce stress may help to decrease agitation. Avoid restraining an overly-agitated person if possible, since this usually makes the problem worse.
Communication of feelings is important.
Call your health care provider if:
there is prolonged or severe agitation, especially if accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.
What to expect at your health care provider's office:
Your health care provider will obtain a medical history from either the patient or a family member and do a physical examination.
To help better understand your agitation, your doctor may ask the following:
type
Is the patient more talkative than usual or is there a feeling of pressure to keep talking?
Does the patient show increased purposeless activity (e.g., pacing, hand wringing)?
Review Date: 10/17/2005
Reviewed By: Christos Ballas, M.D., Attending Psychiatrist, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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