Question
What are the types of delirium
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GPT-4o mini
Delirium is an acute and fluctuating change in mental status that often involves confusion, disorientation, and disturbances in attention and perception. It can be classified into several types based on its clinical features:
1. **Hyperactive Delirium**: This type is characterized by agitation, restlessness, and hyperactivity. Patients may display increased psychomotor activity and may become easily startled. Hallucinations and delusions are also more common in this type.
2. **Hypoactive Delirium**: In contrast to hyperactive delirium, this type involves a decreased level of activity and alertness. Patients may appear lethargic, withdrawn, and less responsive. This type is often under-recognized, despite being common, especially in older adults.
3. **Mixed Delirium**: This type features a combination of both hyperactive and hypoactive symptoms. Patients may fluctuate between states of agitation and lethargy, reflecting the varied presentation of delirium.
### Additional Classifications
Delirium can also be classified based on its underlying causes:
- **Medical Delirium**: Resulting from a medical condition or illness, such as infections, metabolic disturbances, or organ failure.
- **Substance-Induced Delirium**: Due to intoxication or withdrawal from substances, including alcohol, sedatives, and illicit drugs.
- **Delirium due to Multiple Etiologies**: Many cases of delirium may have more than one contributing factor, such as a combination of medication effects, metabolic imbalances, and underlying medical conditions.
### Key Characteristics
Regardless of type, delirium is generally characterized by:
- A disturbance in attention and awareness.
- A change in cognition or perceptual disturbance.
- The acute onset and fluctuating course of symptoms.
### Causes
Common causes of delirium include:
- Infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, pneumonia)
- Medications (especially sedatives and certain psychoactive drugs)
- Metabolic imbalances (e.g., electrolyte disturbances, hypoglycemia)
- Dehydration
- Withdrawal from substances (alcohol, opioids)
- Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, head injury)
Recognizing and addressing the underlying cause is essential for treatment and recovery.
1. **Hyperactive Delirium**: This type is characterized by agitation, restlessness, and hyperactivity. Patients may display increased psychomotor activity and may become easily startled. Hallucinations and delusions are also more common in this type.
2. **Hypoactive Delirium**: In contrast to hyperactive delirium, this type involves a decreased level of activity and alertness. Patients may appear lethargic, withdrawn, and less responsive. This type is often under-recognized, despite being common, especially in older adults.
3. **Mixed Delirium**: This type features a combination of both hyperactive and hypoactive symptoms. Patients may fluctuate between states of agitation and lethargy, reflecting the varied presentation of delirium.
### Additional Classifications
Delirium can also be classified based on its underlying causes:
- **Medical Delirium**: Resulting from a medical condition or illness, such as infections, metabolic disturbances, or organ failure.
- **Substance-Induced Delirium**: Due to intoxication or withdrawal from substances, including alcohol, sedatives, and illicit drugs.
- **Delirium due to Multiple Etiologies**: Many cases of delirium may have more than one contributing factor, such as a combination of medication effects, metabolic imbalances, and underlying medical conditions.
### Key Characteristics
Regardless of type, delirium is generally characterized by:
- A disturbance in attention and awareness.
- A change in cognition or perceptual disturbance.
- The acute onset and fluctuating course of symptoms.
### Causes
Common causes of delirium include:
- Infections (e.g., urinary tract infections, pneumonia)
- Medications (especially sedatives and certain psychoactive drugs)
- Metabolic imbalances (e.g., electrolyte disturbances, hypoglycemia)
- Dehydration
- Withdrawal from substances (alcohol, opioids)
- Neurological conditions (e.g., stroke, head injury)
Recognizing and addressing the underlying cause is essential for treatment and recovery.
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