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Behavior - unusual or strange

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Central nervous system
Central nervous system

Alternative names    Return to top

Acting strangely

Definition    Return to top

Unusual or strange behavior involves actions that are not typical of that individual.

Considerations    Return to top

There are many causes of unsual or strange behavior, including numerous medical and psychiatric illnesses. Two of the more common causes are delirium and dementia:

Common Causes    Return to top

Causes in older people include the following: Causes in people of all ages include the following:

Home Care    Return to top

For dementia or delirium that appears to be caused by a brain tumor, head injury, stroke, infection, fever, or pneumonia, seek immediate medical attention.

For delirium caused by anxiety and emotional problems, reassurance and loving support are recommended. Frequent feedback about time, place, and names of people providing care can be helpful.

For delirium or dementia caused by malnutrition, a proper diet and vitamin supplements are recommended after medical evaluation.

For delirium caused by medication, consult your doctor about adjusting dosage, changing medications, or discontinuing them.

For delirium or dementia caused by alcohol in excess, complete abstinence is required.

For delirium related to illicit drug use, stop taking the offending substance.

For delirium caused by emotional problems, psychological counseling is recommended.

For delirium caused by hypothermia, adequate heat and warmth is required. Re-warming should be carefully monitored.

Delirium that follows surgery is usually temporary, but avoid prolonged use of sedatives and pain killers.

For dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease, there is no prevention, but possible new treatments should be discussed with the doctor. Sympathetic care, occupational therapy, and family support are needed.

For dementia caused by Huntington's chorea, provide supportive care.

For delirium resulting from environmental causes, make a concerted effort to modify the environment or change environments.

For delirium caused by low thyroid function, see your health care provider about thyroid hormone replacement treatment.

Call your health care provider if    Return to top

Contact your regular health care provider or a neurologist if the following occur:

What to expect at your health care provider's office    Return to top

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain the patient's medical history. The physical examination will probably include a detailed neurological evaluation.

Medical history questions documenting unusual or strange behavior in detail may include the following:

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

Update Date: 1/25/2003

Updated by: David Taylor, M.D., Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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