Brain DrawingSomething to know: The difference between dementia and delirium. Dementia (according to the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders):

...is not a specific disorder or disease. It is a syndrome (group of symptoms) associated with a progressive loss of memory and other intellectual functions that is serious enough to interfere with performing the tasks of daily life. Dementia can occur to anyone at any age from an injury or from oxygen deprivation, although it is most commonly associated with aging. It is the leading cause of institutionalization of older adults.

While delirium (Wikipedia):

...is an acute and relatively sudden (developing over hours to days) decline in attention-focus, perception, and cognition.

 




April 28, 2009
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