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diagnostic criteria for delirium (DSM III,IV)
Disturbance of consciousness with reduced ability to focus, sustain, or shift attention
Disorganized thinking: rambling, irrelevant or incoherent speech
At least 2 of the following:
1) reduced level of consciousness
2) perceptual disturbances
a) misinterpretations
b) illusions
c) hallucinations
3) disturbances in sleep-wakefulness
a) insomnia
b) daytime sleepiness
4) increased or decreased psychomotor activity
5) disorientation to person, place or time
6) memory impairment
7) language disturbance
Abrupt onset of symptoms (hours or days).
Fluctuation of symptoms over the course of a day.
Either one of the following:
1) evidence from history, physical examination, or laboratory tests of a specific organic etiologic factor
2) exclusion of nonorganic mental disorders when no etiologic organic factor can be determined; e.g. depression as a cause of cognitive disturbance
Related
delirium (acute confusional state)
Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)
General
criteria
References
- Ramsdell et al, J General Medicine 5:55, 1990
- Francis J, J Am Geriatric Soc 40:829, 1992
- DSM III
- DSM IV