state of agitation. What is agitation, its causes, symptoms and correction of emotional arousal

Agitation is a pronounced emotional arousal, characterized by intense fear, as well as speech or motor restlessness. The patient in this state begins to produce some of the same type of movement, which is completely unconscious. The simplest actions are performed automatically, and the patient himself becomes overly fussy. Since such a condition is pre-pathological, it is within the boundaries of the psychological norm, but, nevertheless, it requires careful diagnosis and special treatment.

The reasons

According to experts, agitation can manifest itself with severe stress or psychological trauma. For some people, this condition can be triggered by fear or changes in the environment. This condition is sometimes characteristic of people whose professional activity associated with stressful situations or even a risk to life. In this case, agitation can be mistaken for confusion. In some cases, severe anxiety is manifested in infectious and mental diseases and other pathological conditions:

If emotional and restlessness- these are symptoms of one of the pathologies listed above, treatment should be aimed specifically at eliminating the underlying disease.

signs

Agitation usually has quite severe symptoms associated with changes in behavior imperceptible to the patient. The man's hands begin to tremble, skin turn pale, while breathing, pulse and heart rate increase, there is increased sweating, a jump in blood pressure may occur. AT similar condition it is extremely difficult for the patient to control his own thinking, he is unable to establish causal relationships and at least somehow rationally think, his head seems to be empty.

If agitation is observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other mental illnesses, it may be accompanied by other mental symptoms such as hallucinations, depressive and manic disorders etc. Being in a state of strong excitement, the patient may begin to swear obscenely, commit involuntary motor acts. In this case, the patient may be a danger to himself and to others.

Diagnostics and therapy

To diagnose agitation, a specialist needs to observe the behavior of the patient and correctly differentiate given state from akatasia, which has similar symptoms. This aspect is very important, since some medications used in agitation are absolutely contraindicated in akatasia. In addition to an external examination as prescribed by a doctor, such diagnostic tests, how clinical analysis urine and blood, analysis of thyroid hormones, computed or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, screening used by patients medications, measurement of blood pressure and pulse.

Treatment of agitation, as a rule, is quite effective, since many causes of pathology can be easily corrected. If the agitation is not caused by an infectious or mental illness, its treatment is usually carried out complex method, in particular, with the help of medicines of the following groups:

• Antidepressants sedative effect. Such drugs can be used as a sedative, taking into account possible side effects such as drowsiness, dry mouth, stool disorders, etc. They are prescribed in cases where agitation is combined with a depressive disorder;
• Antipsychotics. Drugs of this group can be prescribed for manifestations of clouding of consciousness and paranoia in the patient;
• Antianxiolytic medical drug. These medicines should also be taken with caution and strictly as directed by your doctor. As a side effect, daytime sleepiness is possible.

Agitation in some cases involves treatment with common psychotherapeutic techniques. As a rule, patients are offered fairly simple behavioral techniques that will help you learn to control your own emotions and timely switch from stressful situation. Regular psychotherapy helps to increase stress resistance and emotional stability in general.

Rating:

In certain cases emotional condition a person can be considered as a symptom of some pathologies. In this case, there is a need to correct violations using different kind drug and non-drug therapies. Such states include agitation, which doctors classify as the strongest emotional arousal, in which a person experiences a series of unpleasant symptoms. In some cases similar violation is completely natural, while in others it is considered as a symptom of quite serious pathological conditions. Let's try to figure out what agitation is, discuss the treatment, symptoms and causes of agitation.

Why does agitation occur? Causes of the condition

Agitation is the body's natural response to tension caused by severe stress. In addition, such a pathological condition can be a manifestation of a number of mental illnesses, for example, anxiety neurosis, agitated depression, catatonic schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. In some cases, agitation is provoked by consumption alcoholic beverages or drugs. Sometimes such mental reaction becomes one of the symptoms infection.

It should also be taken into account that in certain professions that are interconnected with an excessive risk to the life of the individual, as well as in emergency cases, agitation is often confused with confusion.

How does agitation manifest itself? Condition symptoms

The development of agitation in a person makes itself felt in a number of ways. different manifestations, but most often the patient himself does not note their presence.

So hallmark given pathological condition the appearance of motor or speech anxiety can be considered. Also, the patient has hand tremors, he is worried excessive sweating and an active heartbeat. These symptoms are usually accompanied by fairly frequent breathing, the skin of a person is painted in pale tones.

With the development of agitation, the patient is faced with a feeling total absence thoughts and emptiness in my head. He becomes unable to reason or establish complex causal relationships.

Agitation is accompanied by feelings of fear and increased anxiety, which turn into restlessness of the motor or speech type. A person in this state needs to perform movements of the same type and not conscious nature. In addition, he is characterized by fussiness, he can perform extremely simple and automated actions.

How is agitation corrected? Treatment of the condition

In most cases, doctors manage to cope with agitation, but extremely important role at the same time, the correct and thorough conduct of medical diagnostics plays a role. In no case should you ignore the described symptoms, as this is extremely dangerous. When in a state of agitation, a person is capable of harming himself or others without intention.

In the event that this pathological condition has developed against the background of some mental illness, then therapy can be carried out by the most different methods. In these cases, treatment usually includes psychotherapy and medicinal formulations selected by a competent doctor. Attending psychotherapy sessions will enable the patient to control his condition, coping with agitation, and over time, such classes will help the individual increase his stress resistance.

In general, doctors classify agitation as a condition of the prepathological type, and consider it on the border with the psychological norm. However, in most cases, when the described symptoms appear, patients have to take some medications.

So the treatment of agitation can be carried out by taking antipsychotics. Such medications are commonly used in the treatment of paranoia and various clouding of consciousness. They can provoke some side effects, for example, drowsiness, rigidity, as well as unusual actions.

Also, the correction of such a pathological condition may involve taking antidepressants. Such drugs also sometimes lead to side effects, for example, cause a feeling of drowsiness, dryness in oral cavity, cause constipation and feelings of fear.

Among other things, the treatment of agitation may include the use of anti-anxiolytic drugs. Such drugs can cause drowsiness and depression.

Pick up the most effective method correction of agitation can only be done by a doctor, focusing on individual characteristics patient and the causes of the development of this pathological condition.

If we talk about the prevention of recurrence of agitation, then for this purpose, patients are strongly recommended to attend courses of psychotherapy. Such conditions will help him gain greater resistance to the effects of various kinds of stress, which cause new attacks of the disease. With agitation that has developed as a result of certain mental illnesses, the main emphasis is on correcting the underlying disease, while it is extremely important to follow all the doctor's recommendations.

In no case should relatives and friends disregard manifestations of agitation in a person, because this can be fraught with the most different problems and constant unexpected relapses.

Agitation is a state of excessive emotional uplift, excitement, which is usually accompanied by strong feeling anxiety or fear. Against the background of such overexcitation, a person's motor activity increases, but coordination of movements may be impaired. Because of what the patient's actions look uncontrolled, chaotic, thoughtless. Only the most simple, “thoughtless” operations are automatically performed correctly. From the outside, this state can be perceived as panic or confusion.

Agitation does not develop in an empty place. It is caused by internal or external causes. This anxious overexcitation becomes typical for people who experience constant severe stress, in particular due to their profession.

The danger of agitation lies in the fact that a person who is not able to control his actions, being in a state of some kind of affect, can harm both himself and the people around him. Therefore, it is extremely important to react immediately, noticing changes in the behavior of the patient, and seek help from the appropriate specialist. Despite the fact that agitation is understood as a condition conditionally within the normal range (located on the border of the norm and the disease), it needs to be corrected. Especially in cases where overexcitation occurs more than once and can be a symptom of some serious illness.

External and internal bases

Among the external causes of agitation, in addition to stress, one can single out the accumulated severe fatigue, excessive mental and physical strain, persisting long time. To provoke attacks of such an affective state can drugs, the use of large doses alcohol, caffeine, addiction to psychotropic (narcotic) substances.

Since agitation can be a symptom, this condition accompanies a number of diseases. And it is diseases that can be considered internal reasons provoking emotional overexcitation.

These diseases include:

Main symptoms

With agitation, there are manifestations affecting mental condition person, as well as reflecting on nervous system(vegetative manifestations).

Vegetative visual symptoms

Agitation is characterized by obvious outward signs. A person in this state uncontrollably performs unconscious, often repetitive movements. The pulse rate and heart rate usually increase significantly, as do arterial pressure, a temperature jump is possible. In patients with agitation, tremor is present, breathing becomes rapid. Pale skin may be accompanied by heavy sweating.

During an attack of agitation, a person behaves restlessly, fussily, cannot sit in one place. The condition can affect the usual rhythm of life, which causes sleep disturbance, up to complete insomnia. A person cannot calm down on his own, and attempts to control him by friends or relatives can lead to unpleasant consequences.

Other signs

Among other manifestations of the considered pathology, first of all, include a violation of thinking. The patient is not aware of his condition, does not notice the randomness of movements. He cannot build logical and causal relationships, as if a vacuum forms in his head without thoughts and ideas.

Important: If agitation is a symptom of any negative disease state, then along with all the signs, additional manifestations of a particular disease usually appear. For example, hallucinations, delusions, lack of criticality to what is said aloud are possible.

Anxiety, fear, intense anxiety, intrusive thoughts are also capable of accompanying agitation.

This condition is in many ways similar in its manifestations to another disorder - akathisia. And it is extremely important to correctly determine what exactly a person suffers from. Akathisia and agitation are corrected by different medications, require little different approach in treatment.

Treatment Methods

Any therapy is initially aimed at establishing the exact root cause that caused the state of agitation. If provokes emotional overexcitation any serious internal disease, then it is the one that is being treated. When the pathology in question is caused medicines, they are excluded from the life of the patient. With alcohol or drug intoxication an appropriate correction is made.

It should be understood that the development of agitation can occur not under the influence of diseases, then a person will have enough sleep and rest. But if there is some concern about your well-being, it is recommended to consult a doctor anyway.

medicinal effect

The selection of medicines is carried out taking into account general condition patient.

When a person has a sleep disorder, they may be prescribed sedatives, various sedatives, including on plant-based(motherwort, valerian and others).

However, the main drugs that are most often prescribed to patients are:

• antipsychotic drugs that help block possible seizures paranoia;
• antidepressants prescribed and with a sedative purpose;
• various kinds of tranquilizers are also appropriate in the treatment, but they cause extremely severe daytime sleepiness.

Psychocorrection

Psychotherapy in people with this pathology is an integral part of the treatment process. It can also be used prophylactically, even if overexcitation with motor activity arose only once under the influence of circumstances.

The selection of psychotherapeutic methods is carried out with an emphasis on the state of the person, taking into account his complaints. Usually the choice falls on various behavioral techniques that help patients cope with their condition, learn to control it, and adaptive psychotherapy.

Work must also be carried out with fears, corrected internal anxiety, anxiety through art therapy and various options relaxation. Can be selected as individual approach, especially in severe cases, so be done group therapy. Despite the mass of unpleasant manifestations and the possible severity of the condition, it is possible to completely cure the pathology in question, but you should not try to do it yourself.

Turning to a specialist for advice, the patient will receive not only qualified assistance but also the necessary support. Having visited the doctor's office in time, there is a chance to prevent the deterioration of the condition and return to the usual easy life.

This emotional arousal is quite strong, and agitation is accompanied by anxiety, fear, turns into speech and motor restlessness. A person begins to feel the need for the same type of movements, and often they are not conscious. In a state of agitation, there is excessive fussiness, and only simple actions are performed, performed automatically, without thought.

Experts note that this condition appears when there is severe stress, as well as if the patient suffers from mental illness. In particular, this refers to agitated depression, anxiety neurosis, catatonic. In addition, agitation can be caused by narcotic, alcohol intoxication and sometimes it is a symptom of an infectious disease.

Experts note that in a number of professions that have a risk to life, for example, in the event of an emergency, agitation can be mistaken for confusion. The diagnosis is established by the doctor, based on the observation of the patient. Clinical picture is similar to akathisia. In this regard, it is necessary to conduct a thorough diagnosis. If treatment of agitation is started, and in reality the patient suffers from akathisia, the influence of the drugs prescribed in this case can cause worsening of symptoms.

Agitation can be detected in the presence of a number of signs. For example, the patient's behavior changes, but he himself does not notice it. There is speech anxiety, fussiness in movements, the person's hands tremble, the face turns pale, sweating increases, the heart rate quickens. In such a state, thoughts are absent, a certain emptiness is formed, the ability to reason is lost, causal complex relationships are not established. Special attention doctors pay such a problem as the occurrence of agitation with. In this case, patients also suffer from severe behavioral disorders. In particular, depression occurs, there are complaints about various types, a person tends to wander.

At the same time, the state is characterized as overexcited, excessive excitement is noted. A person begins to use obscene expressions that were previously unusual for him, clouding of consciousness occurs. In such disorders, the normal everyday life dizzy, sleep problems. In addition, there is a risk that a sick person in a state of agitation will harm himself or those who care for him.

Often changes environment capable of provoking agitation, factors such as fatigue and fear no less pronouncedly affect the development of the disease. It has been proven that in some cases agitation is caused by somatic diseases, infections. You should know that the causes of agitation can be eliminated, cured, which is why it is so important to get help. qualified specialist. In the event that agitation is not medical reason, for treatment, behavioral techniques are used that can influence the routine course of the patient's life, distract him from the stress caused by a particular problem.

It is known that, in general, agitation can be cured completely, and that is why careful attention is required. medical diagnostics. It will be a big mistake if you leave this process to chance. Being in a state of agitation, the patient is able to harm himself and loved ones, although such actions are unintentional. Treatment of agitation depends on the cause, and if necessary, drugs are used. But, a significant role is given to psychotherapeutic techniques that help the patient overcome the disease, and also significantly increase his resistance to stress.

Experts believe that agitation is a pre-pathological condition, it is located in the border area of ​​the psychological norm. At the same time, certain medications may be prescribed for the patient to treat. For example, these are antipsychotics that are used in cases of clouding of consciousness and if the patient has. Although there are a number of side effects, manifested by drowsiness, unusual movements, and rigidity. If prescribed, then in this case there may be a feeling of fear, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, a state of depression is observed.

To ensure the prevention of relapses, a patient in a state of agitation is recommended to undergo special psychotherapeutic courses. They will provide the patient with maximum resistance to emotional stress, due to which new attacks of the disease occur. In the event that a patient has a mental illness, then the main emphasis in therapy should be placed precisely on this factor. Relatives should ensure that the patient complies with all doctor's instructions and takes prescribed medications.

Reasonable use of drugs

AT clinical practice agitation is common, and a lot has been done on this subject. special studies. As it turned out, at least twenty-five percent of the employees of such departments never feel at ease at work, or this happens rarely. In addition, when working with such patients, nurses emergency care face verbal or physical threats in their workplace. Agitation always affects the patient's condition negatively. There are cases of death due to the lack of treatment for delirium. If during the treatment of agitation drug therapy applied too early, it may interfere with an accurate psychiatric evaluation.