Psychological Disorders

Delirium

(Delirium or Acute Confusion Syndrome)

It can occur at any age, but is more common in older adults and hospitalized patients. It is characterized by altered consciousness, causing confusion, behavioral changes, hallucinations, and impaired brain function. It appears suddenly and lasts for hours or days. The person experiencing it may lose touch with reality, and it is generally reversible, but it requires prompt medical attention, and the underlying disorder or cause that triggered it must be identified.

Delirium - Acute Confusion Syndrome

What are the symptoms of delirium?

Disorientation:: The person may not know what day it is, may forget essential activities such as eating, may not be able to distinguish the time of day, or may not recognize or know where they are.
Disturbances in consciousness: The person may not pay attention to their surroundings or may have difficulty concentrating or performing certain activities.
Emotional disturbances:: These may include depression, nervousness, anxiety, irritability, anger, paranoia, apathy, and mood and personality changes.
Memory impairment:: The person may not remember recent events and may sometimes not recognize people.
Reasoning impairment:: The person may be unable to maintain a conversation, as they may change the subject or speak incoherently, and may have difficulty speaking, reading, or writing, as well as difficulty understanding what they hear.
Behavioral changes:: The person may exhibit aggressive, euphoric, or restless behavior. Older adults commonly present with lethargy or withdrawal, and sleep disturbances may occur.
Delusions: You may believe that events have happened that did not actually take place; however, your belief is firm, seeing or hearing things that are not present.

Symptoms can appear at different times of the day or on different days, and they can worsen. They are also similar to dementia, so it's important to be careful not to confuse the two. In some cases, dementia and delirium occur simultaneously.

There are three types of delirium:

Hypoactive:: This type presents with inactivity or lethargy and excessive, abnormal sleepiness.
Hyperactive:: This type is accompanied by agitation, personality changes, abrupt behavior, hallucinations, and restlessness.
Mixed:: This type alternates between hypoactive and hyperactive delirium symptoms, which can change abruptly.

What causes delirium?

Some people with alcoholism and those in withdrawal may experience delirium. In addition, various factors can trigger delirium, and in older adults, the symptoms may last longer.

Taking or stopping certain medications
Intoxication
Drug use or overdose
Severe infections
Intense pain
Lack of sleep
Exposure to toxins
Surgery or hospitalization
Alcohol or drug withdrawal
Sudden changes in routine
Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, low sodium or calcium levels
Certain disorders

What are the risk factors?

Brain aging
Depression
Anxiety or stress
Age
Vision or hearing impairment

Can delirium be prevented?

It cannot be prevented, but if you have a family member or friend hospitalized or in a nursing home, you can contact trained staff to discuss preventative measures for each case to reduce its occurrence. For example:

Encourage regular physical activity
Monitor eating habits (ensuring they eat properly)
Avoid distractions at night and make sure their environment is quiet
Place a calendar and clock to help them identify the day
Ensure they receive timely and appropriate treatment for infections
Monitor their sleep patterns

What to do if you, a family member, or a friend experiences delirium?

You can help someone experiencing delirium by reminding them who they are and where they are. If recommended by specialists, you can accompany them to physical activities such as walking. If the person is taking medication, it's important to have a list of the medications and the dosage indicated on the prescription.

To treat delirium, trained professionals can offer a specific treatment plan for each case, which sometimes includes occupational therapy. Treatment may or may not include alternative medications, depending on the doctor's instructions. If the delirium is caused by a medical condition such as an infection or by the effects of medication, the underlying cause must be addressed. Only trained professionals can determine the appropriate course of action.

If the person experiencing delirium is not near a medical facility, stay with them to assist until help arrives. Gather and record as much information as possible about changes in routines, medications the affected person is taking, and whether these symptoms have occurred before.

Delirium must be treated immediately, as it can lead to complications and, in some cases, death.

Contact Margaritas Therapeutic Community to learn more about their trained staff for treating this condition.

Contact for Help

Established in 1991

45 years
of experience

Since our founding in 1991, we have worked in an interdisciplinary manner with psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, and psychotherapists in the treatment, rehabilitation, monitoring, and follow-up of patients.

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Operational Model

Created to help people with different levels of problems.

Our unique model allows patients to be in an inclusive environment, interact with society, and thrive within it. Over time, we have seen excellent results with the types of therapies and workshops we offer, which set us apart from institutions, psychiatric clinics, and other halfway houses in Mexico.