Cognitive Disorders and Delirium
Psychosocial and Palliative Care Program
Overview
Cognitive disorders and delirium are conditions in which the patient experiences a confused mental state and changes in behavior.
People who have cognitivedisorders or delirium may fall in and out of consciousness and may have problems
with the following:
- Attention.
- Thinking.
- Awareness.
- Emotion.
- Memory.
- Muscle control.
- Sleeping and waking.
Delirium occurs frequently in cancer patients, especially in patients with advanced cancer.
Delirium usually occurs suddenly and the patient's symptoms may come and go during the day. This condition can be treated and is often temporary, even in
people with advanced illness. In the last 24 to 48 hours of life,
however, delirium may be permanent due to problems such as organ failure.