Restlessness

What is Restlessness?

Restlessness is the inability to remain at one place or do one thing continuously without moving. It is a broad term covering a wide range of signs and symptoms and may manifest differently in different people. It has both physical and psychological implications.

What are its main associated signs and symptoms?

• Typically, restlessness looks like hyperactivity. This means that a person cannot sit in the same place or position and constantly needs to move or change places.
• It is difficult to engage a restless person in a conversation or a task for too long.
• People who have restlessness may also get painful cramps in the legs when they are sitting.
• Tingling sensation, numbness and tremors in the limbs are a few other signs.
• A restless person usually has difficulty in sleeping, along with frequent bouts of anxiety and disorientation.
• In severe cases, one may experience palpitations and sweating too.

What are the main causes?

• The most common cause of restlessness is drug-related. It is the side effect of many medications given for conditions like attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and asthma as well as several sedatives and anti-emetics.
• Another common cause of restlessness is caffeine addiction or excessive use of products containing caffeine like too much tea or coffee.
• Restlessness occurs in association with neurological conditions like schizophrenia, ADHD, dementia and anxiety.
• Hormonal imbalance in hyperthyroidism can also cause increased restlessness in a person.

How is it diagnosed and treated?

• Restlessness is relative for each individual. It is diagnosed by an expert based on the symptoms and past medical history.
• In order to arrive at a diagnosis, it is important to inform your doctor about your lifestyle and the medications you are on, if any, followed by a physical examination.
• Rather than pharmacological management, treatment of restlessness comprises changes in lifestyle and habits.
• The doctor will advise you to maintain a consistent sleep schedule and get adequate rest at night.
• It is advisable to reduce caffeine intake to improve restlessness.
• If the condition is due to a medicine, it is very important to consult your doctor before you stop or modify the dosage of the medicine, as this can have undue side effects on the body.
• In case of medical conditions like ADHD, or schizophrenia appropriate sedatives or tranquillizers might be prescribed.

1. Hire, J. N. (1978). Anxiety and Caffeine. Sage Publishing; Psychological Reports, 42(3), 833–834. Vol. 42 Issue 3.
2. Van Vracem M et al. Nighttime restlessness in people with dementia in residential care: an explorative field study.. Tijdschr Gerontol Geriatr. 2016 Apr;47(2):78-85. PMID: 26886877
3. Regier NG,Gitlin LN. Towards defining restlessness in individuals with dementia. Aging Ment Health. 2017 May;21(5):543-552. PMID: 26743166
4. Healthdirect Australia. Feeling restless. Australian government: Department of Health
5. National Institutes of Health; [Internet]. U.S. National Library of Medicine. Treatment of Patients Suffering From Nervous Restlessness.

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