ABSTRACT
While not a specific diagnosis, mental confusion may be caused by any of a variety of conditions, both medical and psychiatric. Either self-referred or brought by their families, patients with mental confusion, poor memory and cognitive disorganization will frequently present to clinicians for mental health evaluation, in the hope that medication will help their cognitive difficulties. At other times, patients present for an evaluation of physical or mental health symptoms and the clinician perceives a confused state during the evaluation process. When aware of their deficiencies, patients may use phrases such as “I’m spacey,” “I just can’t focus,” “My memory is going,” or “I’m losing my mind.” Other profoundly confused and forgetful patients are almost oblivious to their mental state, despite ample evidence to those around them. Behavioral historical information from family or caregivers may alert the clinician to possible cognitive problems. The family may identify that the patient is having difficulty with finances, transportation, taking medication, grooming, organization, planning, or performing tasks of daily living.
