Dementia and Delirium Paradox

[KVA123]

Hi. The person I care for has severe short term memory loss (maybe 30 seconds or less). She frequently gets delirium (usually assumed to be caused by an infection). What I find fascinating is that when she’s heading towards delirium, she has increased memory and increased self-awareness. She will announce things like “My arms are very very skinny” (she never comments on her appearance normally) and she takes an interest in me (eg. Last time she asked me if i still go to church) - normally she doesn’t remember who I am never mind the fact that I used to go to church!
Is this a known phenomenon? Have others noticed this? Reading David Baddiel’s book about his family and he mentions that his dad had dementia and also had increased self awareness at the start of a UTI.
Has anyone done any research on this? Why does it happen? Anywhere I can read about it! It fascinates me.

 

[Kevinl]

Well all I can say is you've come to the right place, sit down and have a read around on here. That and hello and welcome from me. K

 

[My Mum's Daughter]

@KVA123 when Mum is delirious, she talks in full sentences instead of her usual garbled few words. I've no idea why but I've seen this happen plenty of times.

 

[Izzy]

I only saw my husband having delirium once and it was really frightening. He had a chest infection and that is what led to the delirium. He also had many UTIs over the course of the years he lived with dementia. I have to say I was never aware of any increased self awareness around the UTIs or the delirium. It’s coming up for 8 years since he died so I’ve maybe erased it from my memory of course.

I wondered if this would be of any interest -

Delirium - symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Delirium is a serious but often treatable condition that can happen suddenly to someone who is unwell. It’s much more common in older people, especially those with dementia.

www.alzheimers.org.uk

 

[Collywobbles]

My Mum seemed to develop multiple new personalities when in the grip of hospital delirium. It certainly seemed to activate parts of her brain which dementia had previously affected.

 

[KVA123]

I only saw my husband having delirium once and it was really frightening. He had a chest infection and that is what led to the delirium. He also had many UTIs over the course of the years he lived with dementia. I have to say I was never aware of any increased self awareness around the UTIs or the delirium. It’s coming up for 8 years since he died so I’ve maybe erased it from my memory of course.

I wondered if this would be of any interest -

Thanks Izzy - I'd read the article but it doesn't seem to address the apparent recovery from dementia that happens for a short time at the onset (or just before the onset) of delirium.

 

[KVA123]

@KVA123 when Mum is delirious, she talks in full sentences instead of her usual garbled few words. I've no idea why but I've seen this happen plenty of times.

Thanks. It's really interesting, isn't it? I do wonder if there's research going on to find a way to replicate this to kind of "reverse" the dementia in some way.

 

[canary]

Thanks. It's really interesting, isn't it? I do wonder if there's research going on to find a way to replicate this to kind of "reverse" the dementia in some way.

Im not aware of any research on this, but it reminds me of an actual, recognised phenomenon called "terminal lucidity". It doesnt happen to everyone, but often enough to make it a recognised "thing". This happens just before someone with dementia dies when they suddenly get a short period of lucid thought. By this stage they have very advanced dementia and everything is closing down, but before their brain finally goes, there is a spark and they are able to speak, or recognise someone, or understand their situation in a way they they havent for a while. I dont know, but it makes me wonder if there is a similar process with an infection causing delirium

 

[KVA123]

Im not aware of any research on this, but it reminds me of an actual, recognised phenomenon called "terminal lucidity". It doesnt happen to everyone, but often enough to make it a recognised "thing". This happens just before someone with dementia dies when they suddenly get a short period of lucid thought. By this stage they have very advanced dementia and everything is closing down, but before their brain finally goes, there is a spark and they are able to speak, or recognise someone, or understand their situation in a way they they havent for a while. I dont know, but it makes me wonder if there is a similar process with an infection causing delirium

Thanks - I'd heard about that. So interesting!

 

[Kevinl]

I had delirium but in my case it turned out to be tick borne viral encephalitis, not something you want to get, take it from me. K