Delirium: Sudden confusion in physical illness

Contents

Page

What is delirium? 3

Signs of delirium 5

Types of delirium 7

Causes of delirium 8

How to help 10

How long does it last? 12

For more information 13

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What is delirium?

Delirium is when someone becomes suddenly confused and unwell.

It can start quickly over a few hours or days.

It can be frightening for the person and their family.

With delirium people don’t know what is real. They might not know:

• The time of day

• Where they are

• What is going on around them

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Delirium is common in older people:

• A quarter of older people will experience delirium in accident and emergency

• Half of older people in a general hospital

• A quarter of care home residents

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Signs of delirium

A person with delirium may be confused about the date and time of day.

They may be overactive, or very difficult to wake up.

It may be hard to follow their conversation. They may change the subject a lot.

They may feel frustrated or aggressive.

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Hallucinations They may suddenly start having hallucinations.

Delusions Delusions are when you think or believe things that are not true.

Someone with delusions may:

• Become suspicious

• Think they are being watched

• Think that their food is being poisoned

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Hallucinations are when you see something or hear something that isn’t there.

Types of delirium There are 3 types of delirium:

• Hypoactive delirium: When the person is quiet, drowsy and sleeps a lot and may not talk

• Hyperactive delirium: When the person is confused and overactive

• Mixed delirium: When the person swings up and down between these other 2 types

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Causes of delirium Delirium can start because of:

• A change in medication

• Moving to somewhere that is not familiar - like going into hospital or changing wards

• Eye or ear problems - maybe not having the right glasses or hearing aid

• Medical problems like:

• Low blood pressure

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• Breathing problems

• Infections

• Constipation

• Pain and worry

• Not getting the right food or enough water

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How to help You can help someone with delirium by:

• Changing the way you talk to them. Keep eye contact and use short sentences

• Showing them photographs and familiar objects.

These can help people to know where they are and who people are

• Giving them meals at regular times. This will help people know what time of day it is

• Encouraging them to eat and drink

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• Making sure they have their glasses and hearing aids

• Keeping to normal daily routines

• Helping the person to walk around

Medication The doctor will aim to treat the cause of the delirium and may suggest a type of medication called an antipsychotic. 

It can help to keep the person calm if the person is agitated.

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How long does it last?

People usually get better after a few weeks.

Sometimes it can last 6 months.

If you think delirium is coming back you should contact the doctor quickly.

This may prevent the delirium becoming worse.

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For more information

This resource is part of the MindEd online learning site.

For more information please contact:-

Web: www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk

Email: MindEd@rcpsych.ac.uk

Twitter: @MindEdUK

Easy read by easy-read-online.co.uk with help from Mencap Liverpool

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