A 29-year-old member asked:

Is psychomotor agitation different from psychomotor retardation?

2 doctor answers5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Mark Reynolds
Psychiatry 35 years experience
Yes: Psychomotor agitation refers to purposeless and restless activity. The person may need to pace around the room, even if he or she wants to rest or sit down. Psychomotor retardation refers to a generalized slowing of psychological and physical activity.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Jeffrey Satinover
Psychiatry 41 years experience
Opposites: Psychomotor refers to thoughts and actions; retard to inhibited, and agitated to excited.So the one means that one's thoughts and actions are inhibited, hence slowed down--it takes 30 seconds to answer, "what is your name"? The other means that ones thoughts and actions are rapid and agitated, "why are you asking me that?" [jumps up, irritated] "i can't stand being here" [sits down again]-in 3 secs.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated May 19, 2019
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