Expert: Michalene Peticca - 9/26/2006

Question
Sorry, I see you defined it. But where can I go to look further into this delirum. Thanks, klfris@peoplepc.com
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Followup To

Question -
Hello, My sister is 60 years old and has become extremely paranoid. I can't determine if it may be dementia related or a form/ type of schizophenia paranoia. She has gotten more paranoid this year then last. She claims her ex-husband is following her, poisioning her food, etc.  She is certain that he gets into her house all the time and does things to her electronics, lights and so forth. She has changed her locks numerous times and her house is pretty much locked up solid with a security company monitoring it. This weekend she claimed that she had people trapped/locked in the attic and basement and said she was not going to let them out until they came to her terms. She stayed home and refused to leave and did not call police (if there were truely people in her house). All she talks about are these things she feels her ex and his girlfriend are trying to do to her. They both live out of state, far away. Although her husband is quite clever the things that she talks about are very bizarre, such as, he has put chemicals in her rooms, toothpaste, cosmetics etc, and her dogs get sick and so does she. She insists he gets this stuff from out of the U.S.A. She brought a quart jar with her urine she fetched from the toilet, which was very orange in color, and insisted he put something into her system somehow to make her urine turn that color. She is very negative all the time. I rarely, if ever, hear her say anything positive. Long story short, I am wondering if this could have to do with some sort of dementia or could it be related to another mental health issue. It would be impossible to coax her into going to a therapist as she feels she knows exactly what she is doing and is certain of all the things that are happening. I am worried and do not know where to turn. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Thanks, Klfris@peoplepc.com

Answer -
Hello Karen,

Thank you for writing. It must be difficult to see your sister in this condition.  But, i think you may be able to help her.

Not knowing your sister's full history within the last 5 years, let's start with some definitions and see what describes her the most.

Dementia: a slow, progressing group of symptoms that are from a specific, physical brain "change". this can be from a stroke, a tumor, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, etc.    Paranoia is one of those symptoms as well as short term and long term memory loss. the person generally cannot handle their own financial affairs.

Delirum:  an acute group of symptoms that are Like dementia, but caused by urinary tract infections (the orange urine?), poor nutrition, alcohol or drug abuse, other illnesses that can be fixed.

From the information you provided, i would definately start by taking your sister to her primary physician, having a urine sample run and discussing her diet.   While your sister may always have been alittle "eccentric", my professional guess is that she may have something physical going on, that, hopefully, is very treatable.   Pass on the therapist for right now!

I wish you and your sister well.  Feel free to keep in touch!

Best regards,
Michalene Peticca, MA  

Answer
Hi Karen,
We are playing e-mail tag!   One of the best places to go is to the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine site and it can guide you through an in-depth look at delirium.

For a shorter version, Web MD may have some information on it as well.

Best Regards,
Michalene Peticca, MA