If you or a loved one have ever experienced a sudden change in behavior or a decrease in attention to detail, it could be related to delirium. Delirium is an acute disorder that may cause you to be confused or unaware of your surroundings.
It’s often caused by a pre-existing illness, injury or surgery, and once the condition is treated, delirium may go away. It can be fatal, though, and is commonly misdiagnosed as depression or dementia without a proper medical evaluation.
Delirium can accelerate cognitive decline or worsen mental impairments, especially in older adults with dementia. Cognitive decline of delirium after six months can lead to:
- Mild to major neurocognitive disorder
- A decrease in mental function
- A loss of the ability to perform daily activities
What are Types and Causes of Delirium
The severity of symptoms looks different for everyone and may not be easy to recognize or could be mistaken for another condition.
“Delirium is a disturbance that develops over a short period of time usually hours to a few days,” said Dr. Thomas Morrione, a geriatrician and medical director at New England Rehabilitation Hospital of Portland, a joint venture of Maine Medical Center and Encompass Health. “It represents a change from baseline attention and awareness and tends to fluctuate in severity during the course of the day.”
- Hyperactive delirium. The feeling of restlessness and agitation and being more alert than usual. Individuals may experience wandering and increased movement.
- Hypoactive delirium. Individuals experience low energy and are drowsy and inactive. Symptoms include decreased physical activity, mood changes, delusions and hallucinations.
- Mixed delirium. A combination of hyperactive and hypoactive delirium. Individuals may switch back and forth between the symptoms.
Health conditions that can cause an onset of delirium include:
- Stroke
- Ongoing infection
- Fever
- Sleep Deprivation
- Pain
- ICU admissions
How to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Delirium
As a caregiver, recognizing the symptoms of this disorder can help prevent further mental decline in your loved one. The most common signs of delirium:
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Changes in sleep routine
- Lack of activity
- Easily annoyed and agitated
- Having trouble focusing on a task
- Mood changes
- The inability to recall recent events
How to Advocate for your Loved Ones
If you notice your loved one has similar symptoms, tell a healthcare provider immediately. Try to recall the time period in which you noticed the symptoms and provide any details of their medical history. The care team will respond with the proper medical advice and perform accurate testing and evaluations.
Helping a loved one recover from delirium can be challenging, but it can be done with adequate resources and support. Support your loved one in their recovery by:
- Providing a safe and familiar environment
- Adopting a sleep schedule by getting up and going to bed at the same time each day
- Using positive language
- Encouraging movement, if recommended by a healthcare professional
The content of this site is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding any medical conditions or treatments.
