What it is
Agitation spans anxiety disorders, akathisia, bipolar disorder, and delirium.
Emerging evidence
Agitation
A state of inner unease, physical restlessness, or psychological distress characterised by heightened emotional reactivity and an inability to find calm. Distinct from anxiety by its greater emphasis on outward agitation.
CategoryEmotional
Reviewed by Gyfts Editorial Team · Editorial Health Review
26 March 2026
At a glance
Agitation at a glance
Commonly experienced as
- Feeling internally stirred up or unable to settle
- Pacing, fidgeting, or inability to remain still
- Emotional outbursts triggered by minor frustrations
- Tension that builds until released through movement or speech
- Sense of urgency without a clear cause
Evidence context
Emerging evidenceSee the evidence snapshotSafety
See staying safeContext
Patterns of Agitation
Agitation combines inner psychological tension with physical restlessness — a driven, unable-to-settle quality that differs from simple anxiety in its more pronounced physical expression. It manifests as pacing, an inability to stay in one position, and heightened reactivity to stimuli. Agitation features in anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder (particularly mixed or manic states), acute stress responses, substance withdrawal, certain medications, thyroid dysfunction, pain states, and dementia in older adults. Distinguishing the context is important — acute psychiatric agitation requires different management from stress-driven or hormonal agitation.
Could this be you
People commonly experience
Agitation shows up differently for everyone. Browse by how it tends to be felt — these are common experiences, not a checklist or a diagnosis.
In the body1 common experience
- Tension that builds until released through movement or speech
In how you feel4 common experiences
- Emotional outbursts triggered by minor frustrations
- Feeling internally stirred up or unable to settle
- Pacing, fidgeting, or inability to remain still
- Sense of urgency without a clear cause
Common experiences people describe — not a diagnostic checklist.
The Evidence
Evidence context
What research and clinical practice say about agitation — its causes, contexts, and approaches to support.
Overall pictureModerate evidence
Agitation is well-recognised but context-dependent
Agitation appears across psychiatric, medical, and neurological conditions, and its management depends heavily on identifying the underlying cause. Evidence supports both psychological and pharmacological approaches, with cause-specific assessment being essential.
When agitation needs urgent attentionSome presentations of agitation require prompt professional assessment rather than self-management.
Agitation combined with confusion or fever may indicate delirium, which requires urgent medical review. Agitation escalating toward risk of harm to self or others warrants immediate support. In older adults, new or worsening agitation — particularly in dementia — should prompt a medication and health review rather than behavioural management alone.
Causes vary widely — context mattersAgitation is a symptom, not a single condition, and its cause shapes what kind of support is appropriate.
Agitation features in anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, PTSD, substance withdrawal, thyroid dysfunction, pain, and medication side effects. Akathisia — a distressing inner restlessness caused by certain medications — is frequently misattributed to psychiatric deterioration. Identifying the context is a clinical priority before any intervention is considered.
What the evidence supportsPsychological and pharmacological approaches both have evidence, depending on the type and cause of agitation.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) has evidence for agitation linked to emotion dysregulation. Pharmacological approaches are used in acute psychiatric and delirium-related agitation, with cause-specific treatment being the priority. Evidence for complementary approaches is more limited and generally studied as adjuncts rather than standalone options.
Important safety considerationsCertain approaches carry specific risks when agitation has an unidentified underlying cause.
Sedating an agitated person without identifying and addressing the underlying cause can mask serious conditions, particularly delirium. Stimulant substances or supplements are not appropriate for those with established agitation patterns. If agitation is new, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms, professional assessment should come before any self-directed approach.
Approaches used across care settingsA range of options are used to support agitation, depending on its cause and severity.
Psychological therapies, lifestyle regulation, and stress-reduction practices are commonly used for agitation linked to anxiety or emotional dysregulation. Traditional systems such as TCM and Ayurveda offer calming and grounding approaches, though evidence for these specifically in agitation is limited. Any approach is best considered alongside professional assessment to rule out medical or medication-related causes.
When to seek professional supportAgitation that is persistent, severe, or unexplained warrants professional assessment.
A GP or mental health professional can help identify whether agitation is linked to a psychiatric condition, medication, or underlying health issue. If agitation is sudden in onset, accompanied by confusion, or escalating in intensity, seek assessment promptly. Self-directed tools and complementary approaches are not a substitute for professional evaluation when the cause is unclear.
Safety first
Staying safe
General, informational guidance — not diagnostic. A qualified practitioner can advise on your own situation.
- Sedating a confused agitated person without identifying and treating the underlying cause
- Stimulant use in those with established agitation patterns
References
Evidence & Research
Educational sources that inform this overview. Inclusion is for context and does not imply endorsement.
- Measuring the experience, expression, and control of anger
- Stress, adaptation, and disease: Allostasis and allostatic load
- Stress, appraisal, and coping
Full citations are maintained by the Gyfts editorial team and reviewed periodically.
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