Agitation is a non-specific group of symptoms observed in a wide number of psychiatric disorders, including the exacerbation of psychotic symptoms in schizophrenic patients. Thus, control of agitation has to be adapted to each type of patient and underlies that, in the first place, the aetiology of the psychomotor disorder is identified.

In patients presenting with agitation, the aim of initial emergency treatment above all is to obtain sedation and control of abnormal behaviour that is dangerous to the patient himself and/or the patient’s immediate neighborhood. Thus, sedation makes it possible to cover the period of latency of antipsychotic agents and/or mood stabilisers until their therapeutic effects develop.

Recent data reported by Chambers et al. mention an increased injury rate among psychiatric nursing staff who treat patients presenting with acute agitation.

Therefore, it is essential to provide hospital staff with treatment strategies which enable minimal physical contact with agitated patients and minimise the need for physically restraining such patients. Ideally, this type of treatment should also act as quickly as possible with a minimum of side effects.

1. Chambers RA, Druss BG.  J Clin Psychiatry 1999 ; 60 : 664-667.

2. Snyder W III. Hospital downsizing and increased frequency of assaults on staff. Hosp Community Psychiatry 1994 ; 45 : 378-380.