Subjective experience of a confusional state.
J L Crammer
The British Journal of Psychiatry January 2002 DOI: 10.1192/bjp.180.1.71 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A psychiatrist experiencing a five-day confusional state associated with a medical condition |
| Duration | 5 days |
| Key findings | The author reports that his confusional state began with a roughly 48-hour prodromal phase of declining consciousness, understanding, and memory registration that was difficult to detect, followed by unconsciousness with four brief partial reversals involving arousal and some mental functioning. He argues that self-report can be a useful addition in clinical study and that patients with renal failure require psychological and psychiatric study. |
Abstract
Confusional states associated with medical and surgical conditions require more study and biochemical explanation. To understand impairment of consciousness, cognition and memory. A psychiatrist reports experience of his changing mental state over 5 days from notes made immediately on recovery. A prodromal phase of declining consciousness, understanding and memory registration over perhaps 48 h was difficult to detect. During unconsciousness there were four brief partial reversals with arousal, and some mental functioning (memory, formation of beliefs) occurred. CONCLUSIONS; Self-report can be a useful addition in clinical study, and patients with renal failure require psychological and psychiatric study. Comparison with the mental effects of benzodiazepine or of an anaesthetic such as nitrous oxide might throw light on the pathology.