What is the difference between Delirium and Dementia? | Delirium vs Dementia Mnemonic OCD CAMPS

Summary

This video by Rhesus Medicine provides a deep dive into understanding the differences between delirium and dementia using the mnemonic "OCD CAMPS". It elaborates how delirium is an acute state with rapid onset, characterized by restlessness, illusions, and incoherence, and can fluctuate, unlike dementia, which is a progressive and irreversible condition manifesting over months or years. The mnemonic helps distinguish between the two illnesses based on aspects such as Onset, Course, Duration, Consciousness, Attention, Memory, Psychomotor changes, and Sleep-wake cycle disturbances.

Highlights

• Delirium is characterized by rapid onset, restlessness, and can be associated with either hyperactivity or hypoactivity. ⚡
• Dementia develops over months and years, progressively worsening and is generally irreversible. 📅
• The 'sundowning' phenomenon is a key feature in delirium patients. 🌅
• Delirium often features altered consciousness, while dementia patients may have clear consciousness but suffer memory issues. 🤔
• Psychomotor changes in delirium can vary, but are not typically present in dementia. 🏃‍♀️
• Both delirium and dementia can disrupt the sleep-wake cycle, albeit differently. 🌙

Key Takeaways

• Delirium is an acutely disturbed state of mind, while dementia is progressive and irreversible. 🧠
• The mnemonic 'OCD CAMPS' helps differentiate between delirium and dementia: Onset, Course, Duration, Consciousness, Attention, Memory, Psychomotor changes, and Sleep-wake cycle. 🔍
• Delirium can present with fluctuating symptoms and altered consciousness, whereas dementia typically involves clear consciousness but memory issues. 🕵️‍♂️
• Both conditions can affect attention and sleep-wake cycles, but in different ways. 💤
• Understanding these differences is crucial for proper diagnosis and care of affected individuals. 🩺

Overview

In this enlightening video, Rhesus Medicine dives into the complex world of geriatric symptoms by contrasting delirium with dementia. Using the effective mnemonic 'OCD CAMPS', the video systematically breaks down the distinctions between the two conditions, ensuring that viewers grasp the intricacies involved. Whether it's understanding the sudden onset and fluctuating course of delirium, or the slow, progressive nature of dementia, this video is a handy guide to differentiating these often confused states.

Delirium, identified by its acute restlessness and incoherence, can often catch caregivers and family off guard due to its rapid onset. The video highlights crucial features like the 'sundowning' phenomenon, where symptoms can intensify during the evening. Whether delirium presents in a hypoactive or hyperactive manner, understanding these symptoms can facilitate timely medical intervention and better patient care.

Dementia’s longer-term progression paints a contrasting picture. While immediate memory might be less affected, the gradual decline in cognitive function is inevitable and irreversible. This is where 'OCD CAMPS' becomes invaluable, splitting the conditions into digestible components to help differentiate them clearly. As memory gestures, attention fluxes, and consciousness states vary wildly between the two, these insights equip viewers with the knowledge necessary to approach these challenges with care and confidence.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Delirium and Dementia The chapter introduces the topic of delirium and dementia, focusing on their differences.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Mnemonic OCD CAMPS - Onset and Course The chapter titled 'Mnemonic OCD CAMPS - Onset and Course' discusses the differences between onset and course in delirium and dementia. Specifically, it explains that the onset of delirium is rapid, occurring within hours to days, while dementia develops over months and years. The course of delirium is described as fluctuating, with patients experiencing periods of calmness and agitation, often more pronounced in the evenings—a phenomenon known as sundowning. This variation can be less noticeable in cases of hypoactive delirium.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Mnemonic OCD CAMPS - Duration and Consciousness The differences in duration and consciousness between delirium and dementia are highlighted. Delirium typically lasts from days to weeks, is often reversible, but can sometimes last months in specific cases like liver failure. On the other hand, dementia extends over months to years and is irreversible. Consciousness in delirium is usually altered, whereas, in dementia, it is generally clear, albeit with exceptions.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Mnemonic OCD CAMPS - Attention and Memory This chapter discusses the differences in attention and memory impairment in dementia and delirium. In dementia, attention may remain relatively normal, as dementia is predominantly associated with memory loss. In contrast, delirium is characterized by significant impairment in concentration and inattention. Furthermore, while memory—particularly immediate recall—can be severely affected in delirium, dementia's main feature is overall memory degradation.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Mnemonic OCD CAMPS - Psychomotor Changes and Sleep-Wake Cycle The chapter discusses the mnemonic OCD CAMPS, focusing on the differences between delirium and dementia, particularly regarding psychomotor changes and the sleep-wake cycle.

What is the difference between Delirium and Dementia? | Delirium vs Dementia Mnemonic OCD CAMPS Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 okay so in this video we're going to be talking about the differences between dementia and delirium first of all delirium is defined as an acutely disturbed state of mind characterized by restlessness illusions and incoherence bear in mind though that this can be associated with hyperactivity as well as hypo activity so what is the difference between delirium and dementia the mnemonic we're going to use is OCD camps
• 00:30 - 01:00 the O stands for the onset which is typically rapid in delirium within hours to days while in dementia it's over months and years C is for the course delirium is often fluctuating meaning the patient may be quite settled at some points and more agitated in others typically there's the sundowning phenomenon where patients with delirium become more agitated towards the evening in hypo active delirium this is harder to appreciate
• 01:00 - 01:30 however dementia on the other hand gets progressively worse next we have D for duration which in delirium is mostly days to weeks and is reversible although it can last months in causes such as liver failure in dementia the duration is again much longer months or years and in this case is irreversible the second C is for consciousness which is usually altered in delirium while in dementia they can be clear although of course
• 01:30 - 02:00 this can be affected greatly in dementia to a is for attention which again can be altered in both dementia and delirium but in delirium there is a significant impairment typically present while in dementia the attention may be somewhat normal given that overall dementia is mostly associated to memory loss while delirium heavily features a lack of concentration and inattention M is for memory in delirium the immediate recall is usually
• 02:00 - 02:30 impaired while longer term memory may be quite good in dementia however the immediate recalled is often normal P is for psychomotor changes which as we may delirium can be hyperactive or hyperactive whereas in dementia psychomotor disturbances are not usually present finally we have the s4 sleep-wake cycle which again can be altered in both there is often significantly different in delirium
• 02:30 - 03:00 often a complete reversal of the sleep/wake cycle is present [Music]