Delirium is a state of impaired consciousness, cognitive functions, and perception. Medically, delirium is known as an acute confusional state. The condition’s “acute” designation means it can appear within hours or days, and it can be resolved in hours, days, weeks, or months, depending on the cause and severity of the impairment. Although it is not permanent, delirium does require medical attention, and it may be life-threatening if the person experiencing the acute confusional state is left alone.
When delirium occurs in the elderly, it is often misdiagnosed as dementia and if not treated properly can become irreversible. A person may exhibit dementia-like symptoms like confusion, lack of attention, or loss of memory. Unlike dementia, delirium is often sudden and is always caused by an underlying condition.
Symptoms of delirium include becoming easily distracted, obsessed or withdrawn, focusing on one idea or action, disorientation, simple or complex memory loss, rambling or incoherent speech, difficulty with reading or concentrating on one task at a time, trouble finding words, paranoia, and hallucinations. Usually, these are sudden symptoms and often disappear when the underlying condition is removed or cured.
A diagnosis is made by a physician through a medical health assessment, laboratory testing, mental state assessment, physical and neurological testing, and brain imaging. Immediate medical attention to the underlying condition usually can cure the condition and allow the brain to heal. Dementia can be reversed if properly diagnosed and treated quickly.