Delirium treated at a gerontopsychiatric ward for acute cases

Overview

Delirium, a delirious state, is a serious pathological condition with high mortality. With progressin age its incidence increases in gerontopsychiatry. In question is aqualitative disorder of consciousness manifesting a varying clinical picture. Delirium is a non-specific organic psychic syndrome characterized simultaneously by disorders of consciousness and of attention, perception, thinking, emotion, psychomotorics, behavior, and the sleep and vigilance cycle. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the overall prognosis in the patient.

The delirious condition is indicated for acute hospitalization within the framework of non-voluntary hospitalization. The patient is dangerous to him/herself and surroundings in a concrete and immediate way.

Key words:
delirium – dementia – gerontopsychiatry – co-morbidity – psychopharmaceutics.