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Case Reports
. 2024 Jul 29;16(7):e65619.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.65619. eCollection 2024 Jul.

Delirious Mania in a 77-Year-Old Female

Eduardo D Espiridion  1   2 , Ashley Deng  3 , Lily Charron  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Delirious Mania in a 77-Year-Old Female

Eduardo D Espiridion et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Delirium is associated with acute episodes of disturbances in attention and awareness along with changes to cognition, including memory deficits and disorientation. Delirious mania (DM) is an unusual phenomenon where symptoms of delirium co-exist with symptoms of mania such as elevated or irritable mood, grandiosity, agitation, and cognitive disorganization. There is no formal agreement upon clinical symptoms for DM, but it generally includes acute onset of confusion, poor orientation, excitation, restlessness, and delusions. DM was first identified in the mid-1800s by Dr. Luther Bell and has only been identified by case reports since. We investigated a 77-year-old woman who was found at a gas station in an altered mental state. Upon observation, she has symptoms consistent with DM, including inappropriate laughter, distraction and confusion. She was diagnosed with acute metabolic encephalopathy, but the presentation of DM was considered in the differential and remains a unique finding.

Keywords: bells' mania; delirium; delirium mania; elderly; mania.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. CT scan of the head
The image shows cortical atrophy (white arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2. EKG of the patient at the time of admission
EKG shows sinus bradycardia and non-specific T-wave abnormality.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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