Behaviors may include aimless wandering, speaking inappropriately, or moving around quickly without going anywhere.
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Symptoms
There are many early signs and symptoms of PMA.
Psychomotor agitation can be brought on when a person with an underlying condition experiences stress or overstimulation.
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PMA symptoms can be broken into three categories: behavioral, cognitive, and physical.
Some psychomotor behaviors include:
Causes
There are several health disorders associated with PMA.
They can be psychological or neurodegenerative.
The two most notable ones areschizophreniaandbipolar disorder.
What Substances Cause PMA?
There are several substances, both legal and illegal, that can drive PMA.
In many cases, the person experiencing PMA will already have a healthcare provider or team already in place.
Reaching out to this care team may be the most effective first step.
However, don’t hesitate to call 911 or seek emergency care when needed.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing PMA involves several steps.
The first is ensuring the person suspected of having PMA is safe from harming themselves or others.
Since the condition can cause a person to self-harm or attempt suicide, this step is important.
Next, a medical provider will evaluate a person to determine risk factors and symptoms.
Many rating scales have been developed that can be used to determine if a person has PMA or not.
The tests include:
Along with the diagnostic tests above, medical testing may also be done.
Treatment
Treatment and management of PMA revolve around the severity of the disorder.
Control strategies include:
For long-term management, the underlying cause must be addressed.
Mood Disorders
If a mood disorder is causing PMA, medications to treat it will be taken.
First-generation and second-generation antipsychotics can trigger problems such as psychomotor agitation (akathisia).
Someone with a TBI will have to rest and heal for their symptoms to disappear.
Because of that, treatment is designed to slow down the disease and improve symptoms.
Outlook
Depending on the cause, PMA can be short- or long-term.
Because of that, sometimes PMA may be permanent.
Summary
PMA is a disorder that involves involuntary movement or behaviors.
Once treatment has begun, the symptoms may subside.
However, depending on the cause, PMA may be permanent and strictly managed with effective therapies.
