What is delirium?
Delirium is a psycho-organic disorder.
The cause is physical (the dysfunction of the brains), but the symptoms are psychological. These are reflected by confusion, cognitive problems or inattention. Symptoms develop in a short period and fluctuate in strength. In addition to attention and concentration problems can also amnesia , delusions and hallucinations occur.
Delirium is more common in older people. People with dementia are more susceptible to developing delirium. Delirium can be caused by a physical condition such as an infection, side effects of certain medications or withdrawal symptoms (alcohol or drugs). An example of the latter is the delirium tremens , but also excessive alcohol can cause delirium (alcohol delirium). Furthermore, a delirium may occur after surgery (post-operative delirium) or terminal phase of diseases like cancer and AIDS, and delirium that can occur at very high fever, as miles (fever delirium).
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) provides the following diagnostic criteria for delirium:
- A reduced ability to maintain focus on external stimuli and to shift the focus to new external stimuli, so one of the two following criteria:
-Questions must be repeated because the attention fades
-Repeated answers to previous questions
- Disorganized thoughts
- Confusion that develops over a short period of time
- Fluctuating level of confusion
- At least two of the following criteria:
-Decreased level of consciousness
-Perceptual disturbances
-Disruption of the sleep-wake rhythm
-Increased or decreased psychomotor activity
-Disorientation with respect to time, place or person
-Memory problems
- One of the following criteria:
-Evidence that an organic factor is the cause of the confusion whether it holds them in position
-The confusion can not be explained by a non-organic mental disorder