Delirium
A Guide for Patients and Families
Table of Contents
Page 1.......What is delirium?
Page 1.......What causes delirium?
Page 3.......Who is most likely to get delirium?
Page 3.......How is delirium treated?
Page 4.......How long does delirium last?
Page 2.......What does delirium look like?
Page 6.......How can you help?
Page 9.......Recovering from Delirium
Page 10.....To Learn More About Delirium
“My mom doesn't usually act like this...”
“My husband isn't himself...”
What is delirium?
Delirium is a group of
symptoms that can happen
suddenly with physical
illness. Delirium can cause
changes in the way a person
thinks, feels, and behaves.
This happens because
the chemistry in a person's brain changes with
delirium.
Delirium develops quickly over hours or days.
These changes come and go throughout the day
and night.
Delirium is usually temporary. However, it can be
very frightening for patients and families.
What causes delirium?
Delirium can be caused by many things, including:
• Illnesses, like infections
• Medical conditions, like diabetes
• Medical procedures and surgery
• Pain or not getting enough sleep
• Reaction to medicines
• Stressful events
• Drug or alcohol withdrawal
Page 1
Who is most likely to get delirium?
Your risk of getting delirium increases with how sick
you are. For example, many patients in the ICU get
delirium.
How is delirium treated?
The treatment for delirium depends on the cause.
To find the cause, the healthcare team will order
some tests. Your loved one will be watched very
closely.
Once the cause is found, it is treated. Treatment
may include medicines. It will also include a
pleasant, quiet environment to help the body and
brain heal.
Once the cause of the delirium is treated, symptoms
will begin to improve.
Page 2
How long does delirium last?
For most patients, delirium symptoms will go
away over a few days to weeks once treatment
has started. However, some patients may have
problems with their thinking that can last longer.
These patients may need more treatment.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to tell which
patients may have these longer delirium symptoms.
The good news is that these problems will most
likely go away over time.
Page 3
What does delirium look like?
Delirium can look different from one patient to the
next. Some patients may be:
• Withdrawn and quiet
• Restless and confused
• A combination of both
Remember, with all 3 types
of delirium, you will see
a sudden change in the way your loved one acts,
behaves, feels, or thinks.
Withdrawn and Quiet
With this type of delirium, your loved one may:
• Sleep all day and night
• Have little energy
• Not eat or drink
• Not take part in care
• Not talk with family or
loved ones
This type of delirium can be mistaken for depression.
Page 4
Restless and Confused
With this type of delirium, your loved one may:
• Try to get out of bed in an unsafe way
• Talk strangely and not make sense
• See or hear things that are not there
• Not know family or loved ones
• Be awake all night
• Be very frightened
This type of delirium can be mistaken for dementia
or a psychiatric illness.
A Combination
Your loved one may also have a combination of
symptoms and be:
• Restless and confused at times
• Withdrawn and quiet at other times
Page 5
How can you help your loved one?
Patients with delirium need quiet and calm to help
their brains and bodies heal. Noise and activity
can add to their confusion or fear. You can help
the healthcare team create a healing environment
by keeping noise low.
Please let family members know that too many
visits and phone calls can add to the confusion.
Instead limit visits to 1 or 2 close family members.
Pick one family member to let others know when
the delirium is improving and it is okay to visit.
A familiar face and calm presence will help your
loved one feel safe!
Page 6
Tips to Help Your Loved One
• Tell the healthcare team if you see a change
in your loved one’s thinking or behavior.
• Tell the healthcare team if your loved one is
seeing or hearing people who are not there.
• Spend quiet time with your loved one to
decrease their fear.
• Keep the room quiet with less talking and the
television off.
• Do not ask your loved one a lot of questions.
• Let your loved one know they are safe and
that you care about them.
Page 7
More Tips to Help Your Loved One
• Make sure your loved one has their glasses,
hearing aids with fresh batteries, and
dentures.
• Bring in a small item from home, like a
family photo or a favorite blanket. This will
help comfort your loved one.
• Tell the healthcare team if your loved one has
a healthcare proxy.
Page 8
As You Recover from Delirium
It takes time to recover from delirium. While
you are recovering, you may:
• Feel weak
• Have trouble with your thinking for a short
period of time
• Feel anxious about remembering or not
being able to remember what happened in
the hospital
• Become easily frustrated or upset by these
problems
The good news is that for most people these
problems will go away over time.
Page 9
Asking for Help
You may need to ask a family member or friend
to help during this time.
They can help you by:
• Letting your doctor know
if they see you upset by the
amount of time it takes to
recover
• Filling your prescriptions
• Making sure you take your
medicines at the right time
• Making appointments and
helping you keep them
• Helping with rides,
shopping, and bill paying if
needed
• Letting your doctor know
if you have any sudden
changes in the way you have been thinking,
feeling, or behaving since leaving the
hospital
Page 10
To Learn More About Delirium
Talk to your nurse and visit the Kessler Library
on the First Floor or call 617-732-8103. For more
information, please visit the websites below.
Delirium Websites
• MedlinePlus
Delirium
www.medlineplus.org
• Hospital Elder Life Program
www.hospitalelderlifeprogram.org
Other Helpful Websites
• Medicare
www.medicare.gov
Page 11
Notes
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Page 12
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN’S HOSPITAL
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115
617-732-5500
For more information about
delirium, please visit the
Kessler Library on the First Floor.
© BWH 5/12 SR# 0700419