Psychomotor agitation and aggression: psychiatric emergencies. A narrative review of the literature

Psychomotor agitation represents an emergency situation that psychiatrists deal with on a daily basis. It requires rapid and timely intervention procedures, which include risk assessment and careful management in the various diagnostic-therapeutic phases.

Psychomotor agitation has multifactorial genesis, and is not always determined by a psychiatric pathology, for this reason an accurate differential diagnosis is necessary.

This clinical dimension is often associated with episodes of hetero- and self-directed aggression.

The complexity of the patient with acute behavioural disorder would require a multidisciplinary approach which, unfortunately, is not always well codified; these situations can therefore generate not only ineffective management of the patient, but can also simultaneously expose the patient to the risk of possible injuries and the staff to episodes of aggression.

The aim of the study is to provide a narrative review of the main testimonies described in the literature on the topic of aggression and agitation. The intent is to raise awareness on the topic in order to lead to the creation of effective protocols for the management of psychiatric emergencies in first aid settings, as well as in psychiatry departments.