DELIRIUM (ACUTE CONFUSIONAL STATE)
American Psychological Association
Table of Contents
Why Practitioners Need Information
- Rapid-onset, fluctuating mental status changes may represent a delirium or acute confusional state. Delirium-related confusion and agitation are usually accentuated later in the day (so-called "sundowning").
- Predisposing factors to delirium include older age, metabolic disturbances, polypharmacy, infections, anesthesia, hip fracture, unfamiliar surroundings with loss of daily routine, sensory understimulation or overstimulation, disruption of sleep-wake cycle, a history of dementia or brain injury, and a number of other physical and psychological stressors.
- Delirium generally remits when the precipitating factor is treated or removed.
