Top 7 Causes of Restlessness | How to Calm Your Body | Buoy

Restlessness is feeling the need to constantly move, being unable to calm your mind, or a combination of the two. SkiptomaincontentSkiptoaccessibilityservicesBuoyLogo.NavCloseIcon.NavOpenIcon.HowitworksLearnChevronIcon.HealtharticlesChevronIcon.FeaturedtopicsBybodypartAbdomenMental&BehavioralLungsDiarrhea&StoolCOVID-19UpperarmFluseasonElderlycareEarsAlltopicsA-ZSymptomcheckerMedicalwriters&reviewersEditorialstandardsAboutusChevronIcon.CompanyLeadershipCareersPressBuoyforbusinessChevronIcon.WhoweserveChevronIcon.EmployersHealthplansBrokersandConsultantsSolutionsChevronIcon.CareNavigationAPIBackWithCare™BlogSecurity&privacySupportSearchIcon.SectionsIcon.SectionsSpeechBubbleIcon.UserStoriesSymptomCheckerIcon.SymptomCheckerCausesNextStepsTreatmentLearn→Mental&BehavioralHealth→RestlessnessBuoyChatIcon.SymptomCheckerVerifiedByExpertsIcon.Verifiedbyexperts7minreadNoAdsRestlessnessRestlessnesscanbefromthyroidproblems,amentalhealthcondition,pain,oramedicationsideeffect.Learnhowtotellwhat’scausingyouragitationandhowtostopit.WrittenbyFarrahDaly,MD.LastupdatedSeptember16,2021HeartIcon.14TooltipIcon.SpeechBubbleIcon.0ShareIcon.ShareFacebookIcon.FacebookLinkedInIcon.LinkedinPinterestIcon.PinterestPocketIcon.PocketShareLinkIcon.CopylinkCopiedtoclipboardCloseIcon.CausesNextStepsTreatmentTableofContentsCausesNextStepsTreatmentHeartIcon.14TooltipIcon.SpeechBubbleIcon.0ShareIcon.ShareFacebookIcon.FacebookLinkedInIcon.LinkedinPinterestIcon.PinterestPocketIcon.PocketShareLinkIcon.CopylinkCopiedtoclipboardCloseIcon.WrittenbyFarrahDaly,MD.LastupdatedSeptember16,2021RestlessnessquestionnaireUseourfreesymptomcheckertofindoutwhat'scausingyourrestlessness.BuoyChatIcon.SymptomCheckerRestlessnessquestionnaireUseourfreesymptomcheckertofindoutwhat'scausingyourrestlessness.RestlessnesssymptomcheckerRestlessnessisfeelingtheneedtoconstantlymove,beingunabletocalmyourmind,oracombinationofthetwo.Youmayalsoexperiencehyperactivity,anxiety,palpitations,agitation,orinsomnia.Peoplewithmotorrestlessnessoftenfeeltheyhavecrampsintheirarmsorlegswheneverthey'renotmoving.Theymayhavedifficultysittingstillwhileatworkorrelaxingathome,orhavetheurgetotaptheirhandsorfeet.Otherpeoplemayexperiencementalrestlessness,andhavedifficultyaccomplishingtasks,managingtime,orfallingasleepatnight.Restlessnesscanbefromstimulatingmedications,stoppingmedications,ordrinkingtoomuchcaffeineinaday.Hormonalimbalances,neurologicproblems,pain,ormentalhealthconditionscanalsocauserestlessness.ProTipOneofthemostcommonmisconceptionsisthat“it’sallinyourhead.”—Dr.FarrahDaly1.Restlesslegssyndrome(RLS)SymptomsUncontrollableurgetomovethelegs(akathisia)whilesittingorlyingstillSensationsinthelegsorfeetlikecreepycrawling,aching,pulling,throbbing,oritchingSymptomstemporarilygetbetterwithactivity,likewalkingandstretchingTroublegettingtosleeporfallingbackasleepifyouwakeupduringthenightRestlesslegsyndrome(RLS)causesanuncomfortablesensationinthelegswhilelyingdownorsittingstill.Youmayhaveastrongurgetomoveyourlegs,andmovingaroundorstretchingthemtemporarilyrelievestheunpleasantfeeling.About7%to10%oftheU.S.populationmayhaveRLS,accordingtotheNationalInstituteofNeurologicalDisordersandStroke.MostpeoplewithRLS(80%)alsohaveperiodiclimbmovementofsleep(PLMS),whichcauseslegsorarmstotwitchandjerkduringsleep.TreatmentYoucanreducethesymptomsofRLSbytakingwarmbaths,massagingyourlegs,applyingwarmorcoolpacks,exercising,andpracticinggoodsleephabits.Ifyouhavelowlevelsofironinyourbody,youmaygetbetterbytakingironsupplements.Yourdoctormayprescribemedicinesincludingdopamineagonistsornervemedicationstodecreasetherestlessfeeling.2.HyperthyroidismSymptomsWeightlossIncreasedappetiteIntolerancetoheatAnxiety,tremors,andrestlessnessThethyroidisasmall,bow-tieshapedglandinyourneck.Itproducesseveralhormonesthataffectyourbody’smetabolismandmakeyourbodymoresensitivetostimulatinghormoneslikeadrenaline.Hyperthyroidismiswhenyourbodyproducestoomuchthyroidhormone.Thatcausesyourbody’senginetoshiftintohighgear.Youmightfeelshakyandanxious,theheartcanbeattoofastorirregularly,andyoumightloseweightdespitebeinghungryandeatingmore.Causescanincludeautoimmuneconditions,tumors,inflammation,ormedications.RestlessnessquestionnaireUseourfreesymptomcheckertofindoutwhat'scausingyourrestlessness.RestlessnesssymptomcheckerTreatmentYourdoctorcantreatyouroveractivethyroidafterfindingoutwhatiscausingit.Treatmentsmayinclude:StoppingcertainmedicationsBlockingtheeffectsofthyroidhormonewithantithyroidmedicationsDestroying(“ablating”)theoveractivethyroidglandusingradioactiveiodineSurgicallyremovingoveractivethyroidtissue3.DepressionSymptomsDepressedmoodLossofappetiteTroublefallingasleeporwakinguptooearlyLossofinterestinfunactivitiesAnxiety,irritability,mentalrestlessnessDepressioncanmakeyoufeelsad,hopeless,anddiscouraged,oryoumayfeelirritableandangry.Achemicalimbalanceinthebraincancausetroubleconcentrating,physicalormentalrestlessness,ortroublesleeping.Youmayloseyourinterestorenjoymentinthingsthatoncewerefun.Theseproblemscaninterferewithyourwork,yourrelationships,andyourabilitytotakecareofyourself.TreatmentIt’simportanttoseeadoctorormentalhealthprofessionalifyouthinkyouaredepressed.Youmayneedacombinationofmedicationssuchasantidepressantsandtalktherapy.ProTipSomeimportantquestionstoaskyourdoctorare:WhatshouldIbewatchingforthatmightindicateamoreseriousproblem,needforfollow-upexamination,oradditionaltesting?—Dr.Daly4.Medications,diet,orsupplementsSymptomsRestlessnessthatstartsafteramedicationordietchangeManymedicationscancauserestlessnessasasideeffect.Theseincludemedicationsforattentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD),depression,nausea,orpsychosis.Ifyoustarttofeelrestlesssoonafterstartinganewmedication,talktoyourdoctor.Manydietarysupplementsandenergydrinksincludechemicalswithastimulanteffect.Excesscaffeineintakecanalsocauserestlessness.TreatmentTalktoyourdoctoraboutanynewsymptomsafterstartingorchangingamedication.Discusswhetheryoushouldchangeyourdoseoryourmedication.Reviewyourdietforanynewsupplementsandconsidertheamountofcaffeineinyourdrinks. Gradualadjustmentstoyoursupplementandcaffeineintakemaybehelpful.5.PremenstrualdysphoricdisorderSymptomsAnxietyortroubleconcentratingSeveremoodswingswithdepressionorirritabilityPMSsymptomslikestomachbloating,abdominalcramps,andbreasttendernessPremenstrualdysphoricdisorder(PMDD)isagroupofseveresymptomsthatoccuraboutaweekbeforeawoman'speriodstarts.ItcausesPMSsymptoms,likebloatingandcramps.Butyoumayalsohavemajormentalandemotionalsymptoms,suchasdramaticmoodswings,severedepression,irritability,orrestlessness.PMDDmightbecausedbyanabnormalresponsetothenaturalchangesinfemalehormonesduringthemenstrualcycle.TreatmentYoumaygetreliefbyimprovingyourdietandexercisingregularly.Yourdoctormayrecommendcalciumsupplementation,oralcontraceptives,orantidepressants.Cognitivebehavioraltherapy,atypeoftalktherapy,hasalsobeenshowntohelp.6.MildbipolardisorderISymptomsPeriodsofdepressionSadnessordepressedmoodTroublefallingasleepLossofappetiteLossofinterestinactivitiesPeriodsofmaniaDifficultyconcentratingIrritabilityorexcessiveexcitementFeelingmoreenergyorlessneedforsleepRiskybehaviorandincreasedtalkativenessBipolardisordercausesperiodsofdepressionandthenmaniathatcanlastforweeksormonths,followedbyperiodswhenyourmoodisstable.Duringperiodsofdepression,youmayhavelowmood,lossofpleasure,andlowenergy.Withmania,youhaveanelevatedorirritablemoodwitherraticbehavior,decreasedsleep,riskybehavior,andincreasedtalkativeness.Bipolardisordercanruninfamilies.Symptomsoftenstartintheteensoryoungadulthood.RestlessnessquestionnaireUseourfreesymptomcheckertofindoutwhat'scausingyourrestlessness.RestlessnesssymptomcheckerTreatmentTreatmentvariesdependingonyoursymptomsandotherfactors,butusuallyyourdoctorwillprescribemedications,suchasmoodstabilizersandantipsychotics.Talktherapycanalsobehelpful.Inseverecases,youmayneedtobehospitalizedwhenexperiencingsymptoms.OtherpossiblecausesCertaintypesofseverepaincancauserestlessness:Clusterheadaches:Whenpeoplehaveaclusterheadache,theymayberestlessandirritableastheystruggletofindapositiontorelievethepain.Kidneystonescancausesevereflank,orback,pain.Whenpeoplehavepainfulkidneystones,theyareoftenrestlessandactive,tryingtofindapositiontorelieveorgetawayfromthepain.Dementiaandpain:Peoplewhohavetroublecommunicatingbecausetheyhavedementia,braininjury,oranotherneurologicillnesscanappearrestlessoragitatedwhentheyareinpain.OtherconditionsthatmaycauserestlessnessMovementdisorderslikeParkinson’sdiseaseHeartconditionswithrapidheartratesuchasatrialfibrillationMetabolicproblemsSleepapneaandothersleepdisordersWhentocallthedoctorYourrestlessnessinterfereswithyourabilitytosleeporwork.Younoticechangesinyourappetite,mood,orweight.Yourrestlessnessstartsafteramedicationchange.You’vealreadycheckedyourcaffeineandsupplementintakebuttherestlessnesspersists.Dr.RxHelpyourdoctorbybeingasspecificasyoucanaboutwhatyouarefeeling.Whendoesithappen?Howlongagodiditstart?Whatpartofthebodyisinvolved?Whatmakesitworseorbetter? Whathaveyoualreadytriedtoaddresstheproblem?—Dr.DalyShouldIgototheER?Yourheartisracingorbeatingirregularly.You'rehavingtroublecatchingyourbreath.You'reconfusedorhavingdifficultyseeing.You’rehavingauditoryorvisualhallucinations.Youhaveanewseverepain.Youarehavingthoughtsofhurtingyourselforothers.At-hometreatmentsCheckforcaffeineinyourdietandtrytolowertheamount.Itcanbeincoffee,tea,soda,chocolate,orenergydrinks.Somesupplementsalsocontaincaffeineorotherstimulants.Youmayneedtocutoutcaffeinealtogetherorafteracertaintimeofday.Exercisemayhelpimproveyourthinkingwhilereducingstressandanxiety.Meditationandmindfulnesspracticescanhelpcalmthemind.Talktoyourdoctorbeforechangingthedoseofamedicationorstoppingit.Althoughyourmedicationcouldbecausingyourrestlessness,stoppingitcanbedangerous.ShareyourstorySubmitstoryRequestsentsuccessfullyAnerroroccurred,pleasetryagainlaterFarrahDaly,MD.Dr.FarrahDaly,MDisaHospice&PalliativeMedicineSpecialistinLeesburg,VAandhasover19yearsofexperienceinthemedicalfield.ShegraduatedfromDrexelUniversityCollegeofMedicinemedicalschoolin2002.Wasthisarticlehelpful?14peoplefoundthishelpfulHeartIcon.14TooltipIcon.ShareIcon.ShareFacebookIcon.FacebookLinkedInIcon.LinkedinPinterestIcon.PinterestPocketIcon.PocketShareLinkIcon.CopylinkCopiedtoclipboardCloseIcon.ReadthisnextSlide1of2AnxietyAnxietyDisordersAnxietyisanaturalresponsetostress,butitcangetinthewayofyourlifeandrelationships,especiallyifyouhavepanicattacks.ReadmoreLegRestlessLegsSyndromeRestlessLegsSyndromeisanervoussystemdisorderthatcausesanuncomfortablesensationinyourlegsandanurgetomovethemtorelievethesensation.Lifestylechangesandmedicationscanreducesymptoms.ReadmoreBuoyHealth’sservicesarenotintendedtobeasubstituteforprofessionalmedicaladvice,diagnosis,ortreatment.YouruseoftheservicesisvoluntaryandsubjecttoBuoyHealth’sTermsofUseandPrivacyNotice.Byclicking“Agree&continue”youherebyauthorizeBuoyHealthtoaskyouaboutyoursymptoms,healthstatus,andbehaviors.Questionsmayrelatetodiseases,illnesses,orconditionsyoumayhaveorthatmayruninyourfamily.Youranswerswillhelpusprovideyouwithmedicalinformationandidentifyservicesthatmayberelevanttoyourhealth.BuoyHealthusesreasonablephysical,technical,andadministrativesafeguards(suchasfirewalls,encryption,identitymanagement,andintrusionpreventionanddetection)toprotectyourinformation.Wewillnotshareyourinformationwiththirdpartiesunlessyougiveyourconsentorunlesspermittedbyapplicablelaw.Agree&continuetestCOVID-19:Checkyoursymptomsandfindtherightcare.TryourAIassistanthere.(InformedbycurrentCDCguidelines.)CloseIcon.