[Wattsherfayce]

Has anyone else experienced psychomotor agitation (or retardation)? Despite is being listed as a criteria in the DSM V there seems to be very little information available about this.

I usually experience this during (mixed)mania or severe depression. It's so very intense. During such times I find myself unfolding and folding up clothes, taking off my clothing and putting it back on, I get so hot and sweat like I was sitting in a sauna for 15 minutes. I become extremely suicidal and I have near zero impulse control. A few times I've come close to jumping off my 16th floor balcony, and I've tried hanging myself many a times (unsuccessfully because it was impulsive and I couldn't find the "right tool" so just used whatever I could).

It's extremely hard to deal with as I cannot take antipsychotics. I take Depakote but it doesn't stop it from happening. I usually take ice cold showers and take a bunch of benzos until I pass out for a couple hours and rinse and repeat. Does anyone else experience this? How do you deal with it?

[hay.p.98]

I just googled what psychomotor agitation is now, cause I had no idea. But wow.. it sure does explain a lot. I pace excessively, aimlessly. I also wring my hands constantly and crack my knuckles. The frequency of these increases during a manic episode.

[hay.p.98]

I don't know if my last reply went through or not, but I will reply again. I just googled what psychomotor agitation is cause I had no idea. It sure does explain a lot for me though. I constantly wring my hands and crack my knuckles for no reason. And I pace excessively and aimlessly. This is exacerbated by a manic episode or a panic attack. I usually take clonazapam if it gets really bad, but usually I just let it be.

Originally Posted by Wattsherfayce

... Does anyone else experience this? How do you deal with it?

Yes. It sucks!!! I've done fast walking in the past (physical issues have made this not so much an option now), just trying to have somewhere for the energy to go. Sometimes I'll sedate myself with a PRN.
Do you do the cold shower thing to kind of shock yourself into a "re-set" or something?

[Wanderlust90]

Psychomotor agitation is the worst! It's like akasthesia, actually I'm never sure what one it is but meds (both ADs & stelazine) seem to make it worse but it exists without meds also.

I can't sit still, ALWAYS moving my feet or legs, I pace, I scratch at or rub my skin & have crated sores many many times over, I bite my nails to the skin, I tend to have obsessive thoughts during (self harm & suicidality ideation), I can't focus on anything to distract me although I'm driven to find distraction, nothing seems to feel good, paranoia, ranting, lots of anger.

I have no advice as to how to deal with it because all my coping mechanisms are substance related.

[cashart10]

Hi and welcome to PC!

I experience psychomotor agitation when I am in a mixed episode or sometimes when I am in a manic episode. Things get a little off kilter when I catch myself doing things like pacing while brushing my teeth. Also I will start to constantly take my rings on and off of my finger or tapping my feet. I will get up and sit down over and over. I will write pages and pages of nonsense (I'm not sure if this is the same cateragory). I have before caught myself pacing back and forth with my arms in the air while praying these embarrassing charismatic prayers that put TV preachers to shame.

[Wattsherfayce]

Originally Posted by Innerzone

Do you do the cold shower thing to kind of shock yourself into a "re-set" or something?

Yes, that's basically what it accomplishes. It's called the "Mammalian Divers Reflex" and basically splashing cold water on your face (or in my case my entire body because it feels like it's on fire!) stimulates the Vagus Nerve which rapidly; and literally, chills you out. You can accomplish the same thing using cold packs around your neck, eyes, and hairline for no more than 60 seconds.