Differential Diagnosis of Acutely Disturbed Behaviour or Language
Diagnosis | Comment |
---|---|
Delirium | Diagnostic criteria:*
|
Acute psychosis (manic or schizophrenic) | Typical features of acute psychosis include:
|
Other psychiatric disorders | Agitated depression, anxiety disorder, borderline and anti-social personality disorders may result in acutely disturbed behaviour. |
Non-convulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) | In NCSE, there are often mild clonic movements of the eyelids, face or hands, or simple automatisms. The EEG is abnormal. |
Transient global amnesia | Abrupt onset of antegrade amnesia without clouding of consciousness or loss of personal identity. Cognitive impairment is limited to amnesia, and there are no focal neurological or epileptic signs. Symptoms resolve within 24 h. |
Fluent dysphasia | Speech is fluent but with meaningless words, unnecessary phrases and nonsensical grammar. There is no clouding of consciousness. |