What is Agitation in Alzheimer’s Disease?

There are numerous signs of agitation. The most common features are restlessness, nervousness, irritability, and a persistent sense of unease. ^1–3 Other signs include inappropriate speech, sounds, and movements. The person may pace continuously, wander, and engage in repetitive motor movements.⁴

People with AAD may become verbally and physically aggressive, hide and hoard things, and dress inappropriately (or undress in front of others). You may hear a lot of complaining, negativism, repetitive sentences, or questions. On the aggressive side, biting, grabbing, hitting themselves or others, intentionally falling, kicking, and making physical and sexual advances are just a few of the behaviors your loved one may exhibit.⁴ They may also be depressed, anxious, and angry.⁵ 

Other issues include hallucinations (ie, that there is a hole in the floor when it’s really a rug);  delusional thinking (ie, that they have to go to work)⁶; and sleep issues, including sundowning, in which the AAD symptoms become worse beginning at dusk.⁷