Confusion
Confusion (from Latin confusĭo, -ōnis, noun of action from confundere "to pour together", or "to mingle together" also "to confuse") is the state of being bewildered or unclear in one’s mind about something.
The term, "acute mental confusion"[1] is often used interchangeably with delirium[2] in International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems and Medical Subject Headings to describe a pathological degree in which it usually refers to loss of orientation (ability to place oneself correctly in the world by time,[3] location;[3] and/or personal identity ) and sometimes accompanied by disordered consciousness (loss of linear thinking)[3] and loss of memory (the ability to correctly recall previous events or learn new material).
Causes
Confusion may result from drug side effects.
Confusion may result from a relatively sudden brain dysfunction. Acute confusion is often called delirium (also called acute confusional state), although delirium also includes a much broader array of disorders than confusion (e.g. inability to focus attention; and various impairments in awareness, or temporal and spatial orientation).
Confusion may also result from chronic organic brain pathologies such as dementia.
Differential diagnosis
Further information: Differential diagnosis
The most common causes of drug induced acute confusion are dopaminergic drugs used for Parkinson's disease, diuretics, tricyclic or tetracyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines. The elderly, and especially those with pre-existing dementia, are at most risk for drug induced acute confusional states.
New research is finding a link between Vitamin D deficiencies and cognitive impairment, which includes memory loss and a 'foggy brain'.
The act of confusing or the state of being confused:
An instance of being confused: "After his awakening to Chicano identity, he briefly mastered his inner confusions and found an articulate voice" (David C. Unger).
2. Psychology Impaired orientation with respect to time, place, or person; a disturbed mental state.
1. the act of confusing or the state of being confused 2. disorder; jumble 3. bewilderment; perplexity 4. lack of clarity; indistinctness 5. embarrassment; abashment
1. the act of confusing.
2. the state of being confused. 3. disorder; upheaval; tumult; chaos: The army retreated in confusion. 4. lack of clearness or distinctness. 5. perplexity; bewilderment. 6. embarrassment or abashment. 7. a disturbed mental state; disorientation. 8. Archaic. defeat, overthrow, or ruin. </poem>
