acute confusional state

acute confusional state,

a form of delirium caused by interference with the metabolic or other biochemical processes essential for normal brain functioning. Symptoms may include disturbances in cognition and levels of awareness, short-term memory deficit, retrograde and anterograde amnesia, and disturbances in orientation, accompanied by restlessness, apprehension, irritability, and apathy. The condition may be associated with an acute physiologic state, delirium, toxic psychosis, or acute brain syndrome. An acute stress reaction to new surroundings or new demands is common in adolescence; it generally subsides as the person adjusts.

---

acute confusional state

Acute brain syndrome Neurology A state of severe confusion or an abrupt change in mental status, due either to psychiatric or organic disease Clinical Lethargy, agitation, confusion, disorientation, delirium. Cf Dementia.