Delirium (sudden confusion) usually affects people’s brains for a short time. It is a common condition. Up to 1 in 3 people admitted to hospital become delirious at some time during their stay. In hospital, you can tell the nurse or doctor looking after the person about the symptoms you have noticed. At home, you can talk to a GP. John, a retired teacher, was admitted to hospital after he broke his leg. A few days after his surgery his physiotherapist noticed that he seemed reluctant to work with her. The nurses on the ward noticed that his appetite was poor and that he wasn’t drinking enough – they wondered if he had become depressed. A blood test showed that his kidneys weren’t working as well as they should. A specialist nurse noticed that he did not know where he was or why he was there, and that he could not pay attention to their conversation. There are various symptoms that can help a family member or carer to recognise delirium. If you notice any of these symptoms, please tell a doctor or nurse.

Some medicines taken alone or taken in combination can trigger delirium. These include medicines that treat:If you think that extra support may be needed, speak to the doctors and nurses on the ward before your loved one goes home. There are many ways that we can support people who leave hospital after delirium. Delirium usually gets better. In 6 out of 10 people (60%), the symptoms disappear within 6 days. Others may have some symptoms for longer. About 1 in 20 people (5%) may still have delirium more than a month after they first had symptoms.

The person may not know that anything is wrong. Family and friends are often the first to notice small changes. Treatment for delirium Hyperactive delirium. This may be the easiest type to recognize. People with this type may be restless and pace the room. They also may be anxious, have rapid mood swings or see things that aren't there. People with this type often resist care. We can often tell that my father is getting a urinary infection because he starts to get slower and becomes quiet and withdrawn. He also sleeps much more.” Agitation or restlessnessJankovic J, et al., eds. Delirium. In: Bradley and Daroff's Neurology in Clinical Practice. 8th ed. Elsevier; 2022. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. As you get older, you are more likely to have delirium. People who are over 80 years old and have been diagnosed with some type of dementia are particularly at risk. However, delirium can happen in younger people as well, especially if they are critically ill or after surgery. Symptoms of delirium Mart MF, et al. Prevention and management of delirium in the intensive care unit. Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. 2021; doi:10.1055/s-0040-1710572. Frequently asked questions about caregiving. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/frequently-asked-questions-about-caregiving. Accessed Sept. 20, 2022. It is not always possible to prevent delirium. However, if you're at risk of delirium, there are some things that you can do to reduce the risk yourself. These things can also help you to recover from delirium when you're in hospital.

Some people may have memory loss. Problems with short-term memory are particularly common. People with delirium may not remember what has happened or where they are. Sleepiness Francis J Jr. Delirium and acute confusional states: Prevention, treatment, and prognosis. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 19, 2022. Depending on how bad the delirium is, a person may need to go into hospital for treatment and management. For others, delirium can be treated at home. Delirium is a state of mental confusion that starts suddenly and is caused by a physical condition of some sort. You don’t know where you are, what time it is, or what’s happening to you. It is also called an 'acute confusional state'. Delirium can have different causes. We may need to do medical tests to help decide what treatment is needed.My wife has mild dementia, but we usually manage fine at home. She still recognises most of our neighbours and friends. When she was in hospital, though, she did not even recognise me or our daughter.” Unusual thoughts Delirium can be a frightening condition for those who have it, together with their family and carers. Not everyone remembers delirium, but those that do may find the memories distressing. We try to make sure that people get the right level of support when they leave hospital. This includes rehabilitation to improve, restore and maintain their everyday skills and mobility. Delirium can change within the space of a day. People may be delirious, then appear normal and then be delirious again. Symptoms are often worse at night.