Why Do I Feel Restless? Symptoms And Treatment For Restlessness

Medically reviewed by Laura Angers Maddox, NCC, LPC and Dr. April Brewer, DBH, LPC
Updated October 29, 2024by BetterHelp Editorial Team
Please be advised, the below article might mention trauma-related topics that include suicide, substance use, or abuse which could be triggering to the reader.
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Restlessness can be a common symptom of several mental and physical health conditions. Whether you’re feeling restless daily or occasionally, discovering the cause of this feeling and finding ways to reduce it may be beneficial.

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Why do I feel restless? Possible causes of restlessness

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V), lists restlessness as a symptom of several mental illnesses. Although you don’t have to have a mental illness to experience distressing amounts of restlessness, you may want to discuss a few potential mental health-related causes of the condition with your doctor or therapist.

Anxiety disorders

Various anxiety disorders are associated with restlessness. Anxiety disorders are among the most frequently experienced mental health conditions in the United States. In addition to physical restlessness, a person with an anxiety disorder might also experience mental turmoil, such as racing thoughts or excessive worry. 

Anxiety disorders like social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) often cause restlessness due to fear or a desire to avoid stress. Anxiety disorders can affect people of all ages and backgrounds, and they are highly treatable. Mindfulness, journaling, and talking to a therapist are a few ways to decrease anxiety-related restlessness. 

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

A person with ADHD may experience predominantly inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive symptoms. ADHD can also result in a combined presentation of physical and psychological signs. Symptoms like restlessness, fidgeting, and feeling like you are “driven by a motor” can be signs of primarily hyperactive or combined type ADHD in adults and children.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) features hyperarousal symptoms like restlessness, hypervigilance, being “on edge,” and startling easily. Treatment for PTSD, like psychotherapy, can help individuals manage or reduce their symptoms. 

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but some do. Even if someone does not have PTSD, trauma can still affect a person’s life and well-being, which may cause restlessness. 

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Depression

As with anxiety disorders, restlessness is a potential symptom of depression. Several types of depression can include restlessness as a symptom, including major depressive disorder (MDD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). It is also common for people with depression to experience a co-occurring anxiety disorder, which can exacerbate restlessness symptoms.

In addition to feeling physically restless, a person living with a depressive disorder may experience sleep disturbances, including poor sleep quality, sleeping too much, or sleeping too little.

Bipolar disorder

Bipolar disorder is characterized by alternating periods of mania or hypomania and depression. In some cases, a person with bipolar disorder may be at a baseline state, meaning they do not have excessively high or low moods. 

Bipolar disorder may cause unusual restlessness in addition to the following restlessness-adjacent symptoms:

  • Increased energy 
  • Agitation 
  • Irritability 
  • A decreased need for sleep 
  • Impulsivity
  • Engaging in risky behavior 

These symptoms commonly occur during a manic or hypomanic episode of bipolar disorder.

Other mental or physical health conditions, like restless leg syndrome

Other mental health conditions can lead to the experience of restlessness, although it may not be as predominant of a symptom as in the conditions described above. These conditions include:

  • Substance use disorders 
  • Eating disorders
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder 
  • Restless leg syndrome (RLS)

How do I know if restlessness is caused by a mental health condition such as anxiety or depression?

There are a couple of steps you can take to understand the causes of your restlessness. 

Talk to a doctor 

Talk with a medical or mental health professional to understand whether your restlessness is a symptom of a mental illness. Your doctor can also help you develop a treatment plan for your restlessness, regardless of its cause. 

If you notice symptoms of a medical or mental health condition that can cause restlessness, like an anxiety disorder, PTSD, hyperthyroidism, restless leg syndrome, or ADHD, reach out to a medical doctor, such as a primary care physician or a psychiatrist.

When you meet with your doctor, you can discuss your concerns and ask for physical or psychological testing to determine the cause. Even if a doctor or therapist cannot decide on a diagnosis, they may be able to refer you to a specialist who can provide you with an adequate assessment and diagnosis. Since symptoms of physical and mental health conditions sometimes overlap, consulting with a professional can be vital. You may be able to determine if your restlessness is caused by a mental health condition or a physical health condition such as a movement disorder or rheumatoid arthritis.

Log how your symptoms make you feel

Consider keeping a daily thought and feelings log in which you take brief notes on how you feel throughout the day. You can also include a number rating system for how restless you feel. Over time, you may reflect on your notes to determine if there are any patterns or identifiable causes of your restlessness. If so, these observations can be helpful to talk about with your doctor or therapist as you seek a solution.

How to cope with restlessness

You can take several steps to cope with your restlessness and find support.

  • Notice what heightens symptoms. Certain stimuli may worsen the symptoms of restlessness. For example, stress and caffeine can cause a racing heart and shallow breathing, which might contribute to anxiety, which can cause restlessness. Awareness of what exacerbates your symptoms may help you manage or prevent these symptoms. 
  • Address lifestyle factors. Poor stress management, insufficient sleep, drinking caffeine or alcohol, not eating enough nourishing food, and other lifestyle factors can impact restlessness. A daily routine that supports your overall health, including time to de-stress, practice sleep hygiene, prioritize physical activity, or cook nutrient-dense meals, can be beneficial for your body.
  • Build a toolkit of coping skills. Consider developing coping skills to use when restlessness occurs. These skills can include breathing exercises, grounding, mindfulness activities, going outside, and physical activity, among others. A therapist can also help you brainstorm a list of additional skills. 
  • Find support with others. Whatever the cause of your restlessness, you may want to find a support group where you can speak with others who experience the same symptoms. For example, a support group for anxiety disorders, ADHD, or PTSD might be helpful, depending on other underlying mental health conditions. For some people, it can be a relief to meet others who understand their experience. 

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Finding professional help for restlessness

Establishing a relationship with health professionals who know you and your history can be crucial in finding help for restlessness. If you haven’t reached out to a therapist due to barriers in receiving care, like cost, distance, or availability, you might find online counseling through a platform like BetterHelp beneficial. You may find that online therapy can make the process of finding a therapist more straightforward, with thousands of cost-effective providers available. You can also choose between phone, video, or live chat sessions with an online therapist, which gives you the flexibility to attend therapy in a way that works for you. 

Studies have found that internet-based therapy is an effective treatment option for a wide range of mental health concerns that can cause restlessness, including anxiety disorders, depression, and PTSD.

Takeaway

Restlessness can be a symptom of many underlying mental health conditions, such as anxiety disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and depression. Restlessness can also occur due to excessive stress, too much caffeine intake, a lack of exercise, and insufficient sleep. If you have problems with ongoing restlessness, consulting with a doctor or psychotherapist may be critical in creating a treatment plan and improving your quality of life.
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