Some other behavioral triggers stem from such factors as privacy, independence, boredom, fatigue, confusion or pain. Learn to identify these triggers and have a plan of action.

If you notice a patient becoming agitated because of privacy or independence issues, such as bathing or dressing, try and let the patient do a little more on his own. The patient may feel embarrassed at times during baths and may want parts of his or her body covered up. Oblige the patient and allow them to feel comfortable.

If boredom or fatigue triggers negative behavior then allow the patient’s aggression to play out. As long as you are both safe, there is nothing wrong with the patient expressing a little bit of anger. If you feel yourself becoming frustrated from the conflict then take a time out. As a caregiver, dealing with stress calmly and patiently is very important. Don’t take a patient’s aggressiveness personally.

Some behavioral triggers might also be related to certain activities or topics of conversation. Keeping a log of such aggressive episodes is helpful in discovering patterns and pinpointing reasons why the patient became agitated. That way, these topics and activities can be identified and removed from the daily routine. For example, violent television shows have been known to be behavioral triggers in some patients.

Confusion can also be a behavioral trigger. If a patient gets angry when tasks seem too difficult, break them town into smaller pieces. Simplify statements if a patient is having problems concentrating on your words.

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