Feeling Restless? Understanding Causes and Treatment Options

Restless feelings are part of life. Whether you're experiencing extra stress or feeling a little off, some restlessness is common. However, if restlessness is interfering with your daily life, it might signal something more—like anxiety, ADHD, or another condition.

What is Restlessness?

Restlessness is a feeling like you need to constantly move, think, or both. When you'd like to focus or relax, restless feelings make it difficult. Instead, you want to get up and move, fidget, or think about many things other than what you need to focus on.

Common Signs of Restlessness

• Racing mind thinking about many different things
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hyperfixation on certain ideas
• Trouble sleeping
• Depression or anxiety
• Constant fidgeting
• Uncontrollable urges to stand and move
• Crawling sensations in your body
• Loss of appetite

What Causes Restless Feelings?

Mental Health Conditions

• Depression and anxiety disorders: These can cause irritability, tension, and restlessness
• ADHD: Restlessness and fidgeting are common symptoms of hyperactivity
• Bipolar disorder: Feeling restless or on edge can accompany manic, hypomanic, and depressive episodes

Physical Health Conditions

• Chronic pain: Pain makes it hard to get comfortable
• Restless leg syndrome (RLS): Affects 7-10% of the US population
• Hyperthyroidism: Overactive thyroid can cause restlessness and nervousness
• Heart conditions: Rapid heart rate conditions can cause restlessness

Other Causes

• Sleep disorders: Poor sleep can leave you edgy and jumpy
• Substance withdrawal: Detoxification frequently causes restlessness and agitation
• Medication side effects: Some antidepressants and other medications can cause restlessness

Tips to Manage Restlessness

1. Exercise

Burn off excess energy with physical activity. Even a walk around the block or five minutes of yoga can help. Regular exercise can proactively prevent restless feelings and improve mood.

2. Meditate and Practice Breathing Exercises

Mindfulness meditation trains your mind to ignore impulses and maintain focus during stressful times. Breathing exercises help you regain composure when restlessness strikes.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

Poor diet may contribute to depression and anxiety, which can amplify restlessness. Limit alcohol consumption and focus on nutritious foods that support mental health.

4. Talk to a Psychiatrist

If you're feeling restless constantly, consult a psychiatrist to understand why and find appropriate solutions. Many mental health conditions have overlapping symptoms, so proper diagnosis is essential for effective treatment.

5. Connect with Friends and Family

Doing things you enjoy with loved ones can help reduce stress and anxiety. When you're feeling restless or down, talking through issues rather than avoiding them helps you work through those feelings.

6. Try Journaling

Writing down your feelings helps you become more aware of them and gain insight into what might be overwhelming you. Journaling can also channel restless energy productively.

When to Get Professional Help

Seek psychiatric evaluation if restlessness is:

• Interfering with work or school performance
• Diminishing your interest in hobbies
• Affecting your relationships
• Making it hard to sleep
• Accompanied by other symptoms like anxiety or depression

If the cause is a mental health condition like ADHD, anxiety disorder, or depression, effective treatments are available. Many conditions respond well to medication and can significantly improve quality of life.

Restlessness Treatment at Next Step Psychiatry

At Next Step Psychiatry in Lilburn, GA, our psychiatrists help identify the underlying causes of restlessness and develop personalized treatment plans. We treat conditions including ADHD, anxiety disorders, depression, and bipolar disorder.