Organic mental disorders result from structural
pathology, as in dementia, or from disturbed
central nervous system (CNS) function, as in
fever-induced delirium. They do not include mental
and behavioural disorders due to alcohol and
misuse of drugs, which are classified separately.
Delirium - Delirium, also termed toxic confusional
state and acute organic reaction , is an acute or
subacute brain failure in which impairment of
attention is accompanied by abnormalities of
perception and mood. It is the most common
psychosis seen in the general hospital. Ten to
twenty per cent of surgical and medical inpatients
have delirium during their admission. The degree
of impairment classically fluctuates, so that
there are intermittent lucid periods. Confusion is
usually worse at night, with consequent sleep
reversal, so that the patient is asleep in the day
and awake all night. During the acute phase,
thought and speech are incoherent, memory is
impaired and misperceptions occur. Episodic visual
hallucinations (or illusions) and persecutory
delusions may occur. As a consequence, the patient
may be frightened, suspicious, restless and
uncooperative.
Dementia is an acquired global impairment of
intellect, memory and personality, but without
impairment of consciousness. There is often an
associated deterioration in emotional control,
social behaviour and motivation. Dementia is used
both to refer to the primary dementing illness,
such as Alzheimer's disease, as well as the
process itself, which may be secondary to some
other disease. Presenile dementia is the term used
for patients under 65 years of age and senile
dementia for older patients. However, there is no
clinical difference.
Originally Submitted
3/20/2012
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