The signs of psychomotor agitation are unintentional, purposeless physical movements as well as mental restlessness, which is driven by extreme internal tension.
The physical and behavioral symptoms of psychomotor agitation include an inability to sit still, pacing, repetitive hand movements, leg and foot movements, abrupt actions and self harming behaviors in severe cases of psychomotor agitation.
An inability to sit still in psychomotor agitation includes rocking, fidgeting or constantly shifting of positions.
Pacing in psychomotor agitation includes walking aimlessly or rapidly back and forth in a room.
Repetitive hand movements in psychomotor agitation includes hand wringing, nail biting, tapping fingers, or pulling at clothes and hair.
Foot and leg movements in psychomotor agitation include constantly tapping toes or shaking legs.
Abrupt actions in psychomotor agitation include starting and stopping tasks suddenly, or moving objects around for no clear reason.
And self harming behaviors in severe cases of psychomotor agitation include biting lips, chewing the inside of the cheek or picking at skin and cuticles until they bleed.
Cognitive and emotional symptoms of psychomotor agitation include racing thoughts, rapid speech and high irritability.
Racing thoughts in psychomotor agitation include having an overwhelming rush of fast, crowded, or chaotic thoughts.
Rapid speech in psychomotor agitation includes talking very quickly or in a pressured, incessant manner.
And high irritability in psychomotor agitation includes experiencing quick frustration, snapping at other people, or feeling deeply exasperated over minor things.
Physical and Behavioral Examples of psychomotor agitation include:
Pacing: Walking back and forth across a room repeatedly without a destination.
Fidgeting: Constantly shifting weight, tapping fingers on a surface, or tapping feet.
Hand movements: Wringing or twisting the hands together continuously.
Clothing manipulation: Repeatedly putting on and taking off clothing or pulling at fabric.
Task disruption: Starting, stopping, and abandoning tasks abruptly without finishing them.
Self-harming repetitive motions: Biting lips until they bleed, pulling out hair, or chewing the inside of the cheek.
Verbal and Mental Examples of psychomotor agitation include:
Rapid speech: Talking very quickly, loudly, or continuously, often jumping between unrelated topics.
Racing thoughts: Experiencing a flood of crowded, fast-moving thoughts that feel uncontrollable.
General restlessness: An overwhelming physical inability to sit still, relax, or stay calm.