Delirium – sometimes called ‘toxic confusional state’
A person who has delirium can often show similar symptoms to a person who has dementia.
Delirium often develops quickly and is usually reversible.
What happens:
- hallucinations and delusions are often present and come on quickly. They might hear, see or think things which are not ‘real’.
- thinking and reasoning are usually affected significantly, and
- severe confusion is often present.
Possible causes:
- anaemia
- low blood sugar, hormone imbalance
- diarrhoea / constipation
- intolerance to medication
- infection: chest infection/ urinary tract infection
- recent major operation
- dehydration, and
- pain.
It is important to point out that dementia and delirium can occur together.
Task 6: Can you think of an occasion when a person you have known has had delirium (toxic confusion)?
In your notebook write down what happened and what was the cause.
Depression
A person who is depressed can often show similar symptoms to a person who has dementia.
This is because depression effects:
- concentration
- motivation, and
- ability to manage everyday tasks.
Myth: A person with dementia does not get depressed
Important note: A person may have dementia and also have delirium and /or depression.
Treatment options need to be explored for depression and delirium.
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