Alteration in Mental Status
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
Content updated on Jan 4, 2023
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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Confusion
Change in mental status
Appears dazed
Doesn't know the time
Doesn't know where he/she is
Doesn't know who he/she is
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How Ubie Can Help You
With an easy 3-min questionnaire , Ubie's AI-powered system will generate a free report on possible causes.
Questions are customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Alteration in mental status
- Change in awareness levels
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout the Symptom
Altered mental status is when the brain doesn't function normally. This includes confused thinking, reduced awareness, disorientation, and drowsiness. There are many causes, such as infection, blood sugar changes, and dehydration.
When to see a doctor
Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms
- Recent changes in mental state
Possible Causes
Generally, Alteration in mental status can be related to:
- Adjustment Disorder
A psychological disorder, often with low mood and anxiety. It is triggered by a sudden change in life circumstances, e.g. divorce or losing a job.
- Sleep Disorder
Sleep disorders are conditions that affect the quality, timing, or duration of your sleep, impacting your ability to function when you're awake. There are many types of sleep disorders, including disturbances in sleep quality or quantity, excessive daytime sleepiness, abnormal behaviors during sleep, sleep disorders related to mental disorders, and more.
- Depression
Depression is a mental illness that leads to low mood, reduced energy levels, and changes in sleep. This affects everyday activities like attending school and work. As the condition worsens, patients might have suicidal thoughts. Although stress and past trauma can cause depression, it can take time to identify and address causes, and genetic factors may also be at play.
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Dissociative Disorder
- Alcohol Dependence / Delirium Tremens
- Graves' Disease
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Related serious diseases
Sometimes, Alteration in mental status may be related to these serious diseases:
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
This is a rare and serious reaction to certain medications. Symptoms usually begin within hours to days after exposure to the medication but can sometimes occur up to a month after starting it. Common causative medications include antipsychotics and occasionally drugs used to treat or prevent vomiting, Parkinson's disease, etc. Symptoms include dangerously high body temperature, muscular rigidity, and severe agitation and altered mental status.
- Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA)
Doctor's Diagnostic Questions
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:
- Recently, are you more confused than before?
- How long have you been feeling more confused recently?
- How has your sense of confusion changed recently?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
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Similar symptoms or complaints
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Reviewed By:
Bret Mobley, MD, MS (Neuropathology)
Dr. Mobley graduated from the University of Michigan Medical School, completing a masters degree in neuroscience between his second and third years of medical school. He trained as a resident in pathology at Stanford University Hospital before joining the faculty of Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville Tennessee in 2010. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 2018 and to Neuropathology Division Director in 2020.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Yu Shirai, MD (Psychiatry)
Dr. Shirai works at the Yotsuya Yui Clinic for mental health treatment for English and Portuguese-speaking patients. He treats a wide range of patients from neurodevelopmental disorders to dementia in children and participates in knowledge sharing through the Diversity Clinic.
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