Delirium classification

Delirium Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Delirium from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Criteria
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
CT
MRI
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case #1
Delirium On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Delirium All Images X-rays Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Delirium
CDC on Delirium
Delirium in the news
Blogs on Delirium
Directions to Hospitals Treating Delirium
Risk calculators and risk factors for Delirium

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Vishal Khurana, M.B.B.S., M.D. [2] ; Pratik Bahekar, MBBS [3]

Types of Delirium

DSM V specifies delirium on various virtues,

Based on etiology:

• Substance intoxication delirium: diagnosis of substance intoxication delirium is made rather than substance intoxication, when the symptoms in Criteria A and C predominate and are severe enough to require clinical attention.

  Substance withdrawal delirium: diagnosis of substance withdrawal delirium is made rather than substance withdrawal, when the symptoms in Criteria A and C predominate and are severe enough to require clinical attention

Based on duration:

• Acute: Duration is restricted to a few hours to says

  Persistent: when delirium lasts for weeks or months.

Based on severity:

• Hyperactive: An increased psychomotor activity which may cooccue with incresed mood lability, agitation, and/or non cooperative attitude towards medical treatment.

  Hypoactive: A hypoactive level of psychomotor activity which may exist along with increased sluggishness, lethargy or stupour.

  Mixed level of activity: A normal level of psychomotor activity, individuals with rapidly fluctuating activity are also included in this category.

Some authours have described fourth type of delirium, called as Subsyndromal delirium (an incomplete form of delirium)

Phenomenological findings of different materials subtypes of delirium reveal that purely hypoactive (somnolent) or hyperactive (agitated) patients appear to bemonority of cases, with more than 50% of patients experiencing a mixed profile during the course of their illness.