A common symptom of psychiatric and medical disorders, agitation often appears in a variety of medical environments. This practical guide explores the origins of the condition and the differing approaches and treatments available. The biology of agitation is discussed, followed by specific chapters on substance abuse, medical causes, personality disorders, and treatment in pediatrics and the elderly. Treatment options including psychiatric work-ups, medical work-ups, psychopharmacology, de-escalation, and calming techniques are provided. The complexities of legal issues, patients' rights, and prehospital settings are also addressed, providing physicians, nurses, and mental health workers with a comprehensive resource in providing safe, focused, and effective treatment.

'Accessible, straight-forward, well-researched and well-organized, The Diagnosis and Management of Agitation is an essential primer on how psychiatrists can address patients who demonstrate agitation. With this book as a guide, we can hope to see many improved outcomes in the future.'

Douglas Strassler Source: Psychoatry Advisor (www.psychiatryadvisor.com)

‘… a comprehensive, practical, humane, well-written, and wise book. The authors present context and evidence clearly, provide extremely useful tables, and artfully illustrate their approaches with lively case examples. I strongly recommend this book to psychiatrists and emergency medicine physicians at all levels of training, including students, as well as to other clinicians who treat patients in emergency and inpatient settings, both psychiatric and general medical. It provides an invaluable, humane framework grounded in science and decency, with extremely practical recommendations; it is the best overview I have read on the topic.’

Mary Anne Badaracco Source: The American Journal of Psychiatry