Delirium, or acute confusional state, is a mental condition characterized by temporary and fluctuating confusion. It is more common in people over 65 (but can occur at any age) during hospitalization for medical or surgical treatment, in the presence of multiple concurrent illnesses, or when the person is in an intensive care unit.
The characteristic signs and symptoms of delirium are primarily due to impaired cognitive function. For example, the person may lose the ability to perform simple calculations or their language may be affected. They may also experience decreased alertness, manifesting as drowsiness, and in other cases, they may be extremely restless. In short, this is one of the most frequent neurocognitive diagnoses with psychiatric manifestations in the hospital setting. It is important to recognize and diagnose it because of the physical, emotional, and neurological impact it has on the individual.
