Memory & Later Life
Delirium
A sudden change in attention and awareness, usually caused by a physical illness, infection, medication or withdrawal. It is a medical emergency.
What it can feel like
- Confusion starting over hours or days
- Attention drifting, or being hard to hold
- Seeing or hearing things that are not there
- Sleep reversed, worse at night
- Agitation, or unusual drowsiness
Not everyone has every symptom, and you do not need a label to deserve support.
Things that help
01
Get medical help the same day
Delirium usually signals an underlying physical problem. It is urgent, and it is treatable.
02
Keep the environment calm and orienting
Good light, familiar faces, clocks, and quiet. Minimise moving the person between rooms.
03
Note what changed and when
Medication changes, infections and recent surgery are common causes. This information helps clinicians fast.
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Add to my practicesWhen to reach for more support
Call a GP urgently, NHS 111 or emergency services. Sudden confusion is always a medical matter, not just a mental health one.