What causes irritability and restlessness in elderly people?

Generally, irritability and restlessness in elderly individuals may be caused by changes in sleep rhythm, reduced social activities, anxiety, hyperthyroidism, depression, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a正规 hospital and receive interventions under the guidance of a physician. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Altered sleep rhythm: Elderly people often experience lighter sleep and frequent awakenings, leading to insufficient sleep and emotional fluctuations such as irritability. Adjusting the bedroom environment, maintaining a consistent bedtime, drinking warm milk before sleep, and avoiding frequent nighttime awakenings can help improve sleep quality.

2. Reduced social activity: After retirement, a shrinking social circle may lead to feelings of loneliness, triggering emotional irritability. It is advisable to encourage participation in community events or interest groups, increase communication with family members, and enrich daily life to alleviate loneliness.

3. Anxiety state: Accumulated worries about health and daily life may lead to anxiety, accompanied by restlessness and palpitations. Under medical evaluation, medications such as buspirone tablets, tandospirone capsules, or lorazepam tablets may be prescribed to relieve symptoms, along with psychological counseling to reduce anxiety.

4. Hyperthyroidism: Abnormally elevated thyroid hormone levels accelerate metabolism and increase nervous system excitability, causing symptoms such as excessive sweating and palpitations. After diagnosis by a doctor, medications like methimazole tablets, propylthiouracil tablets, or propranolol hydrochloride tablets may be used to regulate hormone levels and improve symptoms.

5. Depression: In older adults, depression may manifest primarily as irritability, accompanied by loss of interest, fatigue, and even thoughts of self-neglect. A treatment plan should be established by a physician, including antidepressants such as sertraline tablets, fluoxetine capsules, or mirtazapine tablets, combined with family support and psychological intervention.

In daily life, family members should pay close attention to the emotional well-being of elderly individuals, assist in maintaining regular作息 and balanced nutrition, and encourage moderate physical activities such as walking. If irritability persists or worsens, prompt medical consultation is essential, and treatments should be strictly followed as prescribed, avoiding self-medication.