Description

Characteristic of a delirium is a difficulty in focusing and maintaining attention. Also, people with a delirium have a disorganized pattern of thought.

Normal

Everybody can be confused for a moment.

Abnormal

The disorganized thinking is noticed because of the strange, incoherent speech of these people. Also common are disorders of the senses, such as visual hallucinations. Every process that distorts the proper functioning of the brain cells can cause a delirium. This might be a vascular pathology, an infection, an abnormal reaction to medication or drugs, or an epileptic seizure.