ABSTRACT
Dementia is a syndrome affecting multiple higher cortical functions in clear consciousness
(ICD-10). This latter point – ‘in clear consciousness’ – is intended to distinguish chronic
dementing illnesses from ‘acute confusional states’, also know as ‘delerium’. The latter is an
acute condition, characterised by rapid onset; fluctuations in mental state; clouding of
consciousness, and psychiatric disturbances such as perplexity and hallucinosis (Burns,
1995). Individuals suffering from an acute confusional state are often in and out of
consciousness; have difficulty concentrating and communicating; are easily distracted, and
pick at imaginary items or their clothes. Language does not break down into aphasia, but
individuals have problems maintaining a clear and coherent train of thought, and verbal
misunderstandings do occur (Neary, 1999).
