delirious

Delirious is an adjective used to describe a state of delirium, an acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by confusion, disorientation, and disturbances of perception; consciousness is often fluctuating. People may experience delirium due to illness, fever, infection, metabolic disorders, intoxication with alcohol or drugs, withdrawal, sleep deprivation, pain, or surgery. It is common in older hospitalized patients.

Symptoms include reduced attention, incoherent speech, disorganized thinking, misperceptions such as hallucinations or delusions, and impaired awareness of the environment. Onset is usually rapid and fluctuates over hours to days. Delirium must be distinguished from dementia and psychosis; it is usually reversible if the underlying cause is treated promptly.

Diagnosis is clinical, often aided by screening tools such as the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) or CAM-ICU. Management focuses on identifying and treating the underlying cause, ensuring safety, reorienting the patient, maintaining hydration and nutrition, sleep, and minimizing delirium-provoking factors (e.g., certain medications, sensory impairment). Antipsychotics may be used short-term for severe agitation, but they carry risks.

Epidemiology and prognosis: delirium is common in hospitalized older adults and after surgery; it is associated with longer hospital stays, higher mortality, and an increased risk of cognitive decline.

In culture: Delirious is also the name of a British Christian rock band formed in 1992, known for songs like “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever” and for a major influence on contemporary worship music; they disbanded in 2009, though reunion projects have occurred.

Etymology: the term derives from Latin delirare, meaning to wander from reason.