Confusion is a symptom that happens because of brain activity disruptions. Many conditions, events and circumstances can cause it. Some are minor and reversible, while others are permanent and severe. Recognizing this condition is important, and loved ones can play a vital role in early diagnosis and treatment of this symptom.
Confusion is a term that describes symptoms that involve disruptions in your memory, ability to think and focus, awareness and more. People often use “confusion” to describe small missteps, errors or inaccuracies. From a medical perspective, confusion has a very different meaning. It’s a form of altered mental status, which indicates a problem with how your brain works.
Different abilities rely on different parts of your brain. Some abilities — like spoken language — rely on different areas working together. Confusion happens when these areas aren’t working as they should.
What confusion ISN’T:
What confusion IS:
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Any condition, circumstance or event that disrupts your brain function can cause confusion. That means there are dozens of potential causes. Many times, confusion involves multiple causes and factors happening at the same time. In some cases, there’s no cause that healthcare providers can find.
Conditions that can cause confusion include:
Confusion itself isn’t treated. Instead, healthcare providers treat the conditions that can cause confusion. You shouldn’t attempt to self-treat confusion unless it’s related to a condition your healthcare provider has already diagnosed. If it’s a diagnosed condition, following your healthcare provider’s guidance is the best way to manage it.
Treatments vary, so look to your healthcare provider for information. They can tailor the options and their recommendations to your (or your loved one’s) needs and preferences.
Confusion is a symptom that disrupts your ability to control what you think, do and say. Because of that, you can’t recognize that you have it, and it affects your ability to make decisions about your medical care.
Certain conditions related to confusion — especially delirium — increase the risk of later complications. Confusion may increase the risk of having the following complications:
Confusion affects everyone differently, so it can be difficult to predict its complications. Your healthcare provider (or your loved one’s provider) is the best source of information about possible complications.
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Confusion isn’t preventable. It happens unpredictably and often for reasons that experts still don’t understand. But you can reduce the risk of developing some conditions that can cause it. Some things you can do include:
Sudden-onset confusion is always a sign that someone needs medical attention. That’s because it’s a possible symptom of dangerous or life-threatening medical emergencies like a stroke.
Medical attention is also recommended when you first notice signs of confusion that develop gradually in yourself or a loved one. Once a healthcare provider diagnoses the cause (if it’s possible to find one), they can guide you on managing it.
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Delirium is a specific, more severe type of confusion. It can develop when injury, illness or other factors overwhelm your brain’s ability to keep working like it should. The disruptions in brain activity are so severe, they can cause or worsen dementia in people at risk because of age or other factors. Delirium develops quickly and it can shift and change from hour to hour. Delirium and confusion aren’t the same thing, and you can have confusion without having delirium.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
If you recognize or suspect a loved one has confusion — especially when it begins or worsens quickly — it’s important to get medical attention immediately. Confusion can affect memory, thinking and more. With medical care, many causes of confusion are temporary or reversible.
While it can be scary to see a loved one who has this symptom, your loved one’s healthcare provider can guide you on what you can do to help manage this symptom. Ongoing research offers hope of treating permanent or serious causes of confusion. It could also make it possible to delay how it worsens, offering renewed hope and opportunities in years to come.
Last reviewed on 08/21/2023.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy