What to Expect with Delirium
Centra Health
What to Expect with Delirium
It is common for patients with a critical illness to show signs and experience delirium. In fact, about two out of every three patients receiving care in an ICU experience delirium. This can be scary for loved ones, and we want you to know what it is, the causes, and how you can help.
What is Delirium?
Delirium is a severe state of confusion. It has been described as similar to being in a nightmare. Delirium feels very real to patients as they can imagine they are in different situations, which can be very frightening.
People with delirium:
- Are not able to think clearly
- Have trouble paying attention
- Have difficulty understanding what is going on around them
- May see or hear things that are not real