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HomeConditionsDementia & Alzheimer's (Neurocognitive Disorders)Delirium
Mental Health Condition

Delirium

Overview

Description

Delirium is an acute and fluctuating disturbance in attention, awareness, and cognition that develops over hours to days and represents a change from baseline. It is a medical emergency commonly triggered by an underlying medical condition, substance intoxication or withdrawal, medication effect, or multiple factors. Disturbance is not better explained by a neurocognitive disorder and does not occur in the context of severely reduced arousal (e.g., coma).

Prevalence

Common in hospitalized adults (10–30% on general medical wards; higher in ICU and postoperative settings). Incidence increases with age, baseline cognitive impairment, and medical complexity.

Age of Onset

Any age when precipitating factors are present; risk markedly increases in older adults (≥65 years).

DSM-5 Code

293.0 (due to another medical condition); use substance/medication or multiple etiologies specifiers as applicable

ICD-10 Code

F05 (Delirium due to known physiological condition); use substance-specific or other codes when indicated

Reviewed by the HeyPsych Medical Review Board
Board-certified psychiatrists and mental health professionals
Medical Review Board
Published: August 15, 2025
Last Updated: January 9, 2026
Last Reviewed: January 9, 2026

Diagnostic Criteria

Symptoms

Prognosis

Evaluation

Specifiers

Risk Factors

Comorbidities

Warning Signs

Impact On Life

Severity Levels

Treatment Goals

Prognosis Factors

When To Seek Help

Real Life Examples

Self Help Strategies

Treatment Approaches

Overdiagnosis Factors

Missed Diagnosis Factors

This information about mental health conditions is for educational purposes only. If you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Seeking Help for Delirium?

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or a loved one, know that help is available. Mental health conditions are treatable with options like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and early intervention can make a significant difference.
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