Agitated

Agitated is a common English adjective describing a state of being stirred up, disturbed, or excited. It can refer to emotional arousal—often, a person feels anxious, restless, or upset to the point of visible agitation. It can also describe a physical process in which a substance is stirred or shaken to promote mixing or reaction. The term originates from the Latin agitare, meaning to drive, stir, or disturb.

In psychology and medicine, agitation denotes motor and vocal restlessness accompanied by emotional distress. Patients may pace, fidget, shout, or become aggressive. Agitation can occur in mood disorders, delirium, dementia, psychosis, intoxication or withdrawal from substances, or secondary to pain or environmental stress. Accurate assessment often involves scales such as the Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale (RASS) or similar tools to quantify onset and severity, guiding safety measures and treatment. Management emphasizes patient safety, de-escalation, and addressing underlying causes; pharmacologic options may be considered when nonpharmacologic approaches are insufficient.

In a laboratory or industrial context, agitation refers to the mechanical mixing of a liquid or suspension. This is achieved with magnetic stirrers, impellers, or shakers, and the rate is described in revolutions per minute (rpm) or as a power input. Proper agitation helps maintain homogeneity, improve dissolution, or prevent sedimentation. Proper control is important to avoid foaming, overheating, or unwanted reactions.

As a grammatical form, agitated is the past participle of agitate and can function as an adjective; related forms include agitation (noun) and agitating (present participle).