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Updated: Aug 1, 2026
07:37
Assessment and Communication for People with Disorders of Consciousness
Published on: August 1, 2017
Subjective experience of a confusional state
1Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK.
Summary
This study explores confusional states, detailing a psychiatrist's personal experience of altered consciousness, cognition, and memory during a 5-day period. Findings highlight the potential for self-reporting in clinical studies of altered mental states.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Medical Biochemistry
Background:
- Confusional states linked to medical and surgical conditions necessitate further investigation and biochemical elucidation.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind impaired consciousness, cognition, and memory is crucial for clinical practice.
Observation:
- A psychiatrist documented their own 5-day experience of a changing mental state, including a prodromal phase of declining consciousness and memory over approximately 48 hours.
- During unconsciousness, brief partial reversals with arousal were observed, alongside continued mental functioning such as memory and belief formation.
Findings:
- Self-reporting by patients can significantly contribute to clinical studies on confusional states.
- The study suggests a need for psychological and psychiatric evaluation of patients with renal failure.
Implications:
- Further research comparing the mental effects of benzodiazepines or anesthetics like nitrous oxide could illuminate the pathology of confusional states.
- Integrating patient self-reports offers a valuable complementary data source in understanding complex neurological and psychiatric conditions.
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