Delirium Depression Dementia
Speed of onset
  • Acute/fast
  • Slow but can be triggered by life events
  • Slow
Signs and Symptoms
  • Inattention
  • Hyperactive/hypoactive
  • Worse at night and early morning
  • Symptoms fluctuate
  • Perception distorted have delusions and hallucinations
  • Easily distracted
  • Lethargic or
  • hyper vigilant
  • Sadness
  • Feeling blue
  • Loss of interest and pleasure
  • Lack of self care
  • Decrease in appetite
  • withdrawal
  • Memory loss
  • Gradual impairment of ADL skills, communication,
  • Change in behaviour
  • Slow steady decline
  • Often worse in the morning
Treatment
  • Treat the cause
  • Provide environmental support
  • Can resolve in hours to one month
  • Anti-depressants
  • Cognitive therapy
  • Medication in early stages can slow progress in some people
  • Irreversible no treatment
Prognosis
  • Good if treated early
  • Usually mood can be improved
  • Gradual worsening of condition until death
Adapted from: 3D’s