subject: Dealing with the state of Confusion [print this page] In my view, no one is immune to confusion; even presidents and prime ministers exhibit some level of confusion.
Confusion is the inability to think with your usual speed or clarity, including feeling disoriented and having difficulty paying attention, remembering, and making decisions.
There are so many factors that eventually leads to confusion and it may come on quickly or slowly over time, depending on the cause. Many times, confusion is temporary. Other times it is permanent and not curable.
Confusion is more common in the elderly, and often occurs during a hospital stay.
Some confused people may act aggressively or become hostile when disorientated.
A good way to find out if someone is confused is to ask the person his or her name, age, and the date. If they are unsure or answer incorrectly, or unable to colate their thoughts, then they are confused.
A confused person should never be left alone; and for safety reasons, the person may need physical restraints.
For sudden confusion due to low blood sugar (for example, from diabetes medication), the person should drink a sweet drink or eat a sweet snack. If the confusion lasts longer than 10 minutes, please call the doctor.
