1. Communicate to Resolve Anxiety and Pain
A patient with a condition such as schizophrenia, dementia or Alzheimer's disease may not be able to communicate effectively at all times. These patients may become frustrated if they are unable to express basic needs or concerns. It's important to speak gently with patients to try and resolve immediate issues. Try to get the patient to show you what he needs, and be sure to reassure him that everything is going to be fine.
A patient may be experiencing pain and expressing it in the form of anger or agitation. Try to get the patient to show you where he hurts and speak with a doctor immediately about treating any underlying conditions. Many medical conditions are overlooked that may be triggering outbursts, so it's important to get a physical checkup when a patient starts to show signs of agitation. Everyday symptoms like tooth decay, constipation and headaches can all trigger outbursts.
2. Create a Calm Living Area
Do your best to create a chaos-free living space to reduce the symptoms of agitation. A simple change in environment can trigger an outburst. You may be able to shorten the duration by dimming the lights, talking in smooth and reassuring tones, gently touching the patient or playing soft music. Never match agitation with anger or frustration; this is a surefire way to upgrade the patient to a more severe state of physical distress.
Create opportunities for the patient to express herself in other ways such as arts and crafts projects or community events. Try to provide daily contact with loved ones whenever possible. Establish a regular exercise routine, but make sure to check with a doctor about any limitations first.
3. Treat Agitation With Medication
Doctors may prescribe depression medication to treat the symptoms of agitation as long as it doesn't interfere with other treatment plans. Depression is a major player in altered and agitated states, especially in patients with severe depression or patients who have turned to drugs or alcohol to sedate these feelings. Doctors also use anti-anxiety medications to treat agitation in patients with mild forms of restlessness, repetitive motions or nonsensical blabbering.
Patients who express more severe symptoms of agitation may need to take anti-psychotic medications. If patients show signs of paranoia or confusion, a doctor may recommend a class of drugs called atypical anti-psychotics.
