engleski

Delirium and dementia

We would like to present psychiatric approach to delirium in people with dementia (PwDs). Delirium is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome of acute brain failure characterized by a mix of cognitive and non-cognitive symptoms. The presence of symptoms of various psychiatric disorders in clinical picture of delirious patients leads to differential-diagnostic doubts, which are further complicated by the symptoms of comorbid physical or neurological conditions. Psychiatrists' skills in assessing cognitive function and psychopathology, along with their knowledge of the effects, side effects, and interactions of psychotropic medications, make a psychiatric approach important in the multidisciplinary care of patients with delirium. Delirium in 2/3 cases occurs in PwDs, and is followed with complications, prolong hospitalizations, greater risk of institualisation and lethal outcome. Psychiatrists also have an important role in assessing the risk to the safety of the patient himself and the person in environment. It is estimated that around 7% of patients attempt some form of deliberate self-harm during an episode of delirium. We would focus in our work on optimal management of delirious crisis and on a number of skills which are necessary to optimally overcome and resolve delirious crisis.

delirium ; dementia ; Alzheimer's disease

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