Severe Agitation: Is it Normal?
It’s normal to feel mild agitation from time to time. However, severe agitation that is unusual for the individual can be a sign that something much more serious is going on. There are five common diseases and disorders that can be associated with an increase in agitation: Septic shock, bipolar disorder, depression, Hypoglycemia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Septic Shock (Also called Bacteremic Shock, Endotoxic Shock, Septicemic Shock, Warm Shock)
· Possible Symptoms
o Chills
o Confusion or agitation
o Cool, pale extremities
o Decrease in urine output
o Diarrhea
o Fatigue and dizziness
o High fever, usually sudden
o Lightheadedness
o Low blood pressure
o Nausea and vomiting
o Prostration
o Rapid breathing
o Restlessness
Bipolar Disorder
· Mania Symptoms
o Decreased need for sleep
o Elation
o Euphoria
o Grandiosity
o Increased energy for activities
o Inflated self-esteem
· Depression Symptoms
o Agitation (especially in elder patients)
o Drowsiness
o Feelings of apathy
o Feelings of sadness or helplessness that doesn’t go away
o Insomnia or increased tiredness
o Loss of appetite and weight or increase of appetite and weight
o Lowering of interest in everyday activities
o Problems concentrating
Depression
· Possible Symptoms
o Agitation (especially in elder patients)
o Drowsiness
o Feelings of apathy
o Feelings of sadness or helplessness that doesn’t go away
o Insomnia or increased tiredness
o Loss of appetite and weight or increase of appetite and weight
o Lowering of interest in everyday activities
o Problems concentrating
Hypoglycemia
· Possible Symptoms
o Anxiety
o Coma
o Confusion
o Double vision
o Headaches
o Hunger
o Irritability
o Loss of coordination
o Palpitations
o Perspiration
o Seizures
o Trembling
Alzheimer’s Disease (Symptoms in Alzheimer’s disease varies from person to person)
· Possible Symptoms:
o Anxiety
o Becoming easily lost
o Disorientation
o Hallucinations
o Impaired judgment
o Inability to concentrate
o incapability to write
o Incontinence
o Loss of sexual inhibitions
o Loss of social ability
o Minor forgetfulness
o Mood or personality changes that come on suddenly
o Paranoid delusions
o Sever, short-term memory loss
o Severe confusion