Hospital Psychosis Due to Idiosyncratic Drug Reactions
Hospitals are considered places of healing, but they can also be stressful. Pain and discomfort, loud or intrusive medical equipment, unfamiliar surroundings, disorienting hospital schedules and idiosyncratic drug reactions can all contribute to what is called hospital psychosis.
Hospital Psychosis
Patients admitted to a hospital with one condition, but subsequently diagnosed with hospital psychosis-also known as ICU psychosis-experience sensory hallucinations that feel extremely real, slurred speech, mental confusion and memory loss, according to an "American Association of Critical Care Nurses" website on "ICU Psychosis."
Factors in Hospital Psychosis
The length of time a patient spends in a hospital is a major factor in the severity of hospital psychosis, according to the "American Association of Critical Care Nurses" website, but other factors include: sleep deprivation due to hospital routines, lack of appropriate light cues-a condition known as 'sundowner's syndrome'-and idiosyncratic drug reactions.
