Confusion is a syndrome of psychopathology, a violation of objective consciousness and self-perception. The confusion of consciousness is characterized by:
– difficult perception of people and objects;
– disorder of spatial-temporal orientation;
– the inability to think coherently;
– complete or incomplete non-remembering of the episode of confusion.
Based on the characteristics of confusion, several types of confusion are defined. In any case, patients perceive external irritants hard. Those suffering from clouding of consciousness cannot assess the situation, cannot draw elementary conclusions. The most difficult stage of confusion is the state of coma. The type of confusion delirium is characterized by visual hallucinations, fears, delusional states. Delirium in patients can be noted with different types of psychosis and severe alcohol intoxication.
When the consciousness of the “sleep” type is darkened, specific experiences similar to scenes are formed, self-perception changes. Typically, such confusion occurs with severe catatonia or, conversely, extreme arousal. As a rule, it is noted with schizophrenia or with epileptic syndrome.
Another type of confusion is characterized by unconnected thinking, extreme agitation, inconsistent speech, a sharp change in mood. Such a disorder occurs with encephalitis and alcoholism. Confusion of the type of “twilight” appears unexpectedly, accompanied by hallucinations and incoherent delirium. With this disease, the patient shows fear and anger, aggression and depression. However, external behavior may not show the true condition of the patient.
Generally speaking, confusion is the lack of a person’s ability to think coherently and logically. The degree of confusion can begin from the elementary non-remembering of people and places to the complete loss of connection with reality. Confusion can overtake any person, regardless of age. Although, it has not yet been fully established whether there are confusion in children under 7 years of age.
Causes of confusion
Unexpected confusion, as a rule, occurs due to damage to the head or a small influx of blood into the brain, again due to a head injury.
Other causes of confusion:
– developing brain degeneration;
– severe psychological trauma;
– Too high or low blood hemoglobin;
– severe dehydration;
– Infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.
Signs of confusion
Unexpected confusion accompanied by very accurate signs, for example:
– inability to perceive others;
– inability to navigate in space;
– degree of extreme excitement;
– the appearance of hallucinations;
– a change in attitude to oneself and mood swings;
– unreasonable depression, extreme degree of irritability, strangeness.
More rare symptoms of stupefaction:
– decrease in activity;
– loss of interest in life;
– termination of personal care;
– “black holes” in memory;
– inability to concentrate on simple things;
– inability to think clearly and speak clearly;
– unpredictability in behavior: abrupt transitions from apathy to activity.
Unexpected confusion can be caused by very high body temperature or infectious diseases of the brain. Sometimes people experience confusion with severe alcohol intoxication, with the use of narcotic substances or sedative medications.