While delirium causes confusion, not all confusion is because of delirium.
Delirium is a state of altered and fluctuating mental functioning that occurs abruptly.
It is typically acuteonce diagnosed and treated, the patient will over time return to their normal mental state.
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In intensive care, you may hear delirium referred to as ICU delirium.
It is most common in older adults and the elderly but can happen in any age group.
It is also more common in people with some jot down of cognitive problem such as dementia.
Symptoms
There is no test for delirium.
Diagnosing delirium can be a challenge as it can be very different from patient to patient.
Their disorientation and mental difficulties are often worse at night, a condition sometimes referred to as sundowning.
Hallucinations and Delusions
People with delirium may experience delusions and hallucinations.
Delusionsare fixed, false beliefs that are not changed by evidence.
For example, a patient with delirium may believe that the nurse is trying to assassinate them.
Hallucinationsare altered perceptual disturbances.
A patient may see bats flying around the room and watch them fly from corner to corner.
These signs and symptoms have to be taken as a group, not individually.
They may seem wound up or restless, as though they have had too much caffeine.
Medications
Identifying the underlying cause of delirium is key to treatment.
If a medication is causing the problem, stopping it, if feasible, will help.
If an infection is contributing to delirium, treating it will lead to improvement.
Prescription antipsychotic medication such as haloperidol (Haldol) is often used to treat symptoms of delirium.
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