Clinical thinking about delirium
Browse articles
By Dr Sharmella Summan The doctors and nurses saved my life. The porter soothed my despairing soul. My family, despite my resistance, loved my heart back together.
[1] Delirium can be a presenting feature of life-threatening illness, physiological disturbance or drug intoxication People with delirium often have serious, acute illness. In some cases the delirium is the presenting feature, with perhaps only a few other clues.
We all know that healthcare systems could do better in detecting delirium – this remains a major priority. But we know from studies that even in patients with a diagnosis that families are often left in the dark.Many families do not know what delirium is and how to recognise it. So when sitting with their family member with delirium they may think that the person has developed dementia …