Delirium
      The patients suffering dementia and Alzheimer sometimes get too suspicious. Usually the reason is defect in the memory. For example when one of their things and belongings is lost they accuse somebody of theft while they themselves have forgotten where they have left that object.
When a lost object is found the most patients can be appeased, soothed and ensured.
But this suspiciousness is intensified in some patients and they cherish wrong ideas about the events occurring in their environment. For example they might believe that somebody wants to harm them and the evidences negating their suspicion are not capable to convince them to give up their wrong ideas.
The reason behind delirium:
Usually the cerebral changes caused by diseases are the reason of delirium. Memory weakness and sometimes the patients hallucinations cause them to cherish impression about the events occurring in their surroundings. This results in delirious ideas.
How should we treat the patients suffering delirium?
Dont get annoyed at his accusations against you.
You must note that the patient s suspicion and his wrong ideas caused by Alzheimer and a sign and symptom of his disease. As a result we must not be offended by the patient s hostile approach. Instead we had better listen to him in order that he can understand that you respect him.
Explain to anybody who is in relation with him about the patient s ideas in order that they can also understand and realize this special opportunity and show reaction accordingly.
Don t argue with the patient:
Don t try to convince the patient with reasoning, argument and discussion that he is mistaken. Discussing with the patient only increases the patients offence and annoyance. Let the patient express his ideas and beliefs. But dont confirm his beliefs. Rather try to convince him that you support him. Show your support with such sentences as I understand your situation.
Divert the patients attention
Try to occupy the patient with other activities in order that his mind is removed and separated from his delirious ideas and his mind can be occupied with the activity he is doing.
Answer the patients questions directly and simply ..