What is delirium?
'Think Delirium' Information Leaflet
This excellent leaflet produced by Healthcare Improvement Scotland provides straightforward information on:
This excellent leaflet produced by Healthcare Improvement Scotland provides straightforward information on:
- What is delirium?
- What it is like to have delirium?
- Who is at risk of developing delirium?
- How can I help someone with delirium?
Delirium is a state of mental confusion that can start suddenly when you are unwell. It is sometimes called an ‘acute confusional state’.
It can be caused by many things, including different illnesses and some medications. It is a very common problem among people in hospital. It can affect you at any age, but is more common in older people.
When someone is experiencing delirium, they may not know where they are or what time of day it is. They might not recognise people they know well and may struggle to understand what is going on around them. It might be difficult for them to follow conversations or instructions.
Sometimes they may see or hear things that aren’t there. They can also have scary or strange thoughts, perhaps thinking that other people are trying to harm them.
People with delirium can become very agitated and distressed, and often these symptoms are worse in the evening or at night time. They may need medications to help bring relief to these symptoms. Not everyone with delirium will be agitated and upset. Sometimes, delirium can cause people to become quiet and drowsy, and this can be harder to recognise.
Delirium will often get better when the underlying cause is treated, but the symptoms of delirium may continue for some time even after the cause has been fixed. Delirium is a risk factor for developing dementia and also is associated with an increased risk of death.
Because of this it is important that we reduce the risk of people developing delirium, and that we detect and treat it at the earliest opportunity.
It can be caused by many things, including different illnesses and some medications. It is a very common problem among people in hospital. It can affect you at any age, but is more common in older people.
When someone is experiencing delirium, they may not know where they are or what time of day it is. They might not recognise people they know well and may struggle to understand what is going on around them. It might be difficult for them to follow conversations or instructions.
Sometimes they may see or hear things that aren’t there. They can also have scary or strange thoughts, perhaps thinking that other people are trying to harm them.
People with delirium can become very agitated and distressed, and often these symptoms are worse in the evening or at night time. They may need medications to help bring relief to these symptoms. Not everyone with delirium will be agitated and upset. Sometimes, delirium can cause people to become quiet and drowsy, and this can be harder to recognise.
Delirium will often get better when the underlying cause is treated, but the symptoms of delirium may continue for some time even after the cause has been fixed. Delirium is a risk factor for developing dementia and also is associated with an increased risk of death.
Because of this it is important that we reduce the risk of people developing delirium, and that we detect and treat it at the earliest opportunity.
Did you know?
The formal definition of delirium that doctors use is defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). You can find it in their International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision (known as the ICD-10 for short!). It is given the diagnostic code 'F05' and can be found in Chapter V (Mental and Behavioural Disorders), in the section Organic, including symptomatic, mental disorders (F00-F09).
