Psychiatric treatment of delirium usually focuses on behavioral
management during the period of cognitive disturbance. Psychological
sequelae have received less attention. The authors suggest that delirium
represents a stressful life event that must be assimilated after the
cognitive impairment has resolved. Such assimilation may be uniquely
impaired because the patient lacks clear and correct information about the
event. The authors propose that the psychiatric care of delirium include
facilitation of the patient's efforts to obtain and assimilate information
about the delirium after its resolution.Abstract Teaser