How is delirium diagnosed?

How is delirium diagnosed?

Healthcare providers look for problems with attention, memory, orientation and visual ability. Providers may ask the person to perform a few simple tasks, such as spelling a short word backward or doing a basic math problem.

A provider may diagnose delirium if the person:

• Can’t focus or shift attention.
• Has changes in thinking.
• Has a rapid onset of thinking problems, which may change throughout the day.