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Updated: May 25, 2026

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

The Forced Swim Test as a Model of Depressive-like Behavior

Published on: March 2, 2015

Delirium masquerading as depression.

Katie L Marchington¹, Louise Carrier, Peter G Lawlor

¹Family Medicine Residency Program, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Palliative & Supportive Care

|February 15, 2012

Summary

Delirium is often missed in palliative care, especially hypoactive delirium, and can be mistaken for depression. Early screening, particularly in a patient's native language, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.

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Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Symptoms in Patients with Major Depressive Disorder

Published on: April 26, 2024

Area of Science:

Palliative Care Medicine
Geriatric Psychiatry
Neuroscience

Background:

Delirium is prevalent in palliative care but frequently underdiagnosed, particularly hypoactive delirium.
Symptoms of delirium can overlap with depression, leading to misdiagnosis.
Delayed delirium diagnosis has serious consequences for patient care and decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

To highlight the diagnostic challenges of delirium in palliative care patients with complex histories.
To emphasize the importance of differentiating delirium from depression.

Main Methods:

Case report of a 63-year-old woman with colorectal cancer and depression admitted to palliative care.
Clinical assessment including psychiatric evaluation in the patient's native language.
Review of patient's response to psychotropic and other medications.

Main Results:

The patient initially presented with symptoms suggestive of depression but did not respond to standard antidepressant treatment.
Psychiatric assessment revealed features of inattention, confirming multifactorial delirium.
Delirium was attributed to posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), hypothyroidism, hepatic dysfunction, and medication side effects.

Conclusions:

Subsyndromal delirium can manifest as mood lability, mimicking depression.
Clinicians should screen for delirium in all patients with depressive symptoms, considering their primary language.
Cognitive testing is valuable for distinguishing delirium, especially hypoactive forms, from depression.