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Terminal delirium misdiagnosed as major psychiatric disorder: Palliative care in a psychiatric inpatient unit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 October 2015

Sabitha Aligeti ,
Muhammad R. Baig  and
Fernando F. Barrera
Sabitha Aligeti
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
Muhammad R. Baig*
Affiliation:
Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, Texas
Fernando F. Barrera
Affiliation:
School of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas
*
Address correspondence and reprint request to: Muhammad R. Baig, 7400 Merton Minter, San Antonio, Texas, 78229. E-Mail: raisbaig@hotmail.com.
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Abstract

Background:

Delirium is a neuropsychiatric condition characterized by acute change in cognition and disturbance of consciousness. A similar state during the final days of life is termed “terminal delirium.”

Method:

We present three cases with end-stage chronic medical problems without any significant psychiatric history who were admitted to an inpatient psychiatric unit or a locked dementia unit for management of “depression,” “dementia,” or “psychosis.”

Conclusions:

Early diagnosis of terminal delirium helps prevent patients, family members, and staff from undergoing severe emotional distress and facilitates appropriate end-of-life care.

Keywords

DeliriumTerminal deliriumDepressionDementiaEnd-of-life care
Type
Case Reports
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , June 2016 , pp. 307 - 310
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2015 

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