Delirium

Delirium is a fast-developing type of confusion that affects your ability to focus your attention and awareness. It happens when there’s widespread disruption in brain activity, usually because of a combination of factors. Delirium is more common in medical settings, such as during long hospital stays or in long-term care facilities.

People with delirium often act very differently than they do under ordinary circumstances. A common statement or feeling among people who see a loved one with delirium is, “That’s not the person I know.”

In years past, experts thought delirium was a relatively harmless and minor concern. Today, they know it’s a serious problem that should be recognized and prevented whenever possible.

How common is delirium?

Research indicates that delirium affects between 18% and 35% of people admitted to a hospital for inpatient care. Up to 60% of people in an intensive care unit may experience delirium. However, researchers suspect delirium is more common than statistics indicate. The available research suggests that between 1 in 3 and 2 in 3 delirium cases go undiagnosed.

While delirium is more common in older adults, especially those over 65, it can happen to anyone. That means children, teenagers and young adults can all develop it under the right circumstances.

Is delirium the same as dementia?

Delirium and dementia aren’t the same thing. Delirium involves “waxing and waning” symptoms, meaning they get better and worse. Dementia refers to a steady decline in thinking ability.

However, it’s easy to think they’re the same because they have so many similarities. They can also overlap and happen at the same time, and having dementia increases your risk of developing delirium. Delirium can also accelerate your development of dementia or make existing dementia worse.

What are some other terms for delirium?

One of the biggest reasons why delirium often goes unrecognized is because there’s a history of describing it using different terms or names. Today, healthcare providers use this term very specifically.

Other terms or phrases people use (or previously used) to describe delirium can include:

• Sundowning.
• Pleasantly confused.
• Intensive care unit (ICU) or post-surgery psychosis.
• Altered mental status (this term is useful in other contexts but isn’t preferred for delirium).
• Encephalopathy.