Delirium: A Patient Story at Leicester's Hospitals

This is David and his wife Gloria’s story. Two years ago David was treated at Leicester’s Hospitals for community acquired pneumonia. During his admission David experienced an episode of delirium. Patients with delirium frequently experience hallucinations, false ideas or paranoia. These symptoms can be very distressing and frightening for patients and their families.

[@DamienRoweArts]

The whole world should know about delirium.

[@sarcastanaut]

My dad is currently experiencing this after surgery for bladder cancer. Its extremely upsetting and scary and depressing. This video has been very helpful and seeing David being lucid and cognizant has given me hope. Thank you.

[@samia6888]

How is your dad doing now?

[@marcoburattin3999]

This video is the introductory educational tool for our regional training today! It is the perfect start for a patient centred learning event.

[@Ihfmpw8]

I can relate, I have had this frightening experience when I was in hospital with pneumonia in January this year . It was awful and I remember it so well, it happened twice . I can’t forget it.

[@normanchristie4524]

My wife is currently recovering from bowel impactio n and a subsequent spinal fusion. Is now in full nursing care in a care home. She was three months in hospital in three different hospitals. She became very distressed within a a few days and given more painkillers for abdominal pain. When she was transferred to the Spinal unit the surgeon phoned me to check that she didn't have dementia. The operation was successful but her recovery was delayed by not eating, nausea, bileousness; yet more painkillers and more morphine than a crack den. Discharged to a local community hospital for assessment and discharge. Unable to engage with therapies still sick and in pain. Transferred to nursing home with full nursing care. Five days later she was sent to A&E diagnosed as having paraylitic ileas same diagnosis as three months ago. Spent a week in hospital being infused. Returned to the care home. After three months in quiet bedroom and caring staff she is slowly recovering from the delirium; still doubly incontinent and unable to stand.

[@philp1099]

Advice? How do you orientate a patient back to their surroundings? It makes me think should I ask family members if there are any smells in their homes that would be familiar (scented candles or a particular fragrance someone close to them wears) .. but some advice on orientating a patient back to their surroundings would be a great help as I'd like to try it out of it ever happens again where I work as it's the most challenging thing I've ever come across and I think maybe a holistic approach would be a nice little curve ball and maybe help the situation and at least give the patient a bit of reassurance that people are trying to help him in reality as this man said he knew the difference between reality and fiction. Liked this video.. thanks x

[@douglaslally156]

I know this is an old post but wanted to offer my opinion. When a person hallucinates, as I did after surgery last summer, a fantasy world open up that, while often nonsensical, feels quite real to the senses. The best way I can describe it is livng inside a dream that you can taste. I interacted with people who weren't real in places that did not exist. Sometimes it was comforting but usually it was just scary as hell. I think this is how the mind protects itself when under tremendous stress. As to you your question, it's best to allow the person to re-enter reality on his or her own. Guidance and attention are critical but the brain will slowly sort itself out. The first time the patient can correctly answer what year it is, what month it is, who is the president correctly, then that's the light at the end of the tunnel. There may be some residual effects but those will eventually pass.

[@banzobeans]

This recording is helpful for sure. But I‘m left wondering: where‘s the support this man deserves in working through the experience after the fact? And did his wife get any support when his husband came home in a semi-delirious state?

[@lin8148]

I agree you have no idea that this is not real, I wrote and directed an episode of MASH and watched it too right in the clear air in front of me.

[@gouravbamotra1161]

Sir i think one of my family member is suffering from the same from last two days after he was given medicine to control the eye pressure , he says that bomb is blowing off and somerhing like that ... please help and guide me what to do sir / mam

[@jacobyoung7000]

I'm glad you put their names of their heads, because, if you hadn't, I'm sure I couldn't have figured out which one was Dave and which one was Gloria!

[@anishabd4596]

What is the treatment of deliria

[@JS-io2bh]

I wish someone could tell me. my mom has been in the hospital for a month and no one has been able to help us with answers. The doctor won’t give us an answer if it is delirium or dementia. just a month ago my mom was talking to me like normal and paying her own bills and one day she just forgot everything and is in a fantasy world now. 😢

[@samia6888]

@@JS-io2bhhow is your mom doing now?

[@JS-io2bh]

@@samia6888She seems to be doing better and is back to being aware again. The doctors said she has dementia so she’s been on medication to slow it.But now she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

[@missnamak]

Best patients in the world are British. Very reserved,high gratitute and polite

[@beebop7442]

Hello Shahnaz, I wish all Nurses and Doctors of all nationalities could have positive experiences of British patients and people in general. I had some time in hospital some time ago and am largely in awe of the Staff's skill , stamina, patience and kindness. However, my father recently spent a short time on a ward and his witness accounts of vile xenophobic rants from inpatients against NHS staff and other patients and their families made me despair.

[@normanchristie4524]

Precisely the wrong attitude we are too patient with poor nursing care and facilities. Individually nurses and medics are highly trained But teamwork and overall success of patient experience is nil.