Health Encyclopedia

Behavior - unusual or strange

Definition

Unusual or strange behavior involves actions that are not typical of that individual. This may include chronic, progressive loss of memory, or loss of the ability to concentrate and perform other mental tasks.

Alternative Names

Acting strangely

Considerations

There are many causes of unusual or strange behavior, including numerous medical and psychiatric illnesses. Two of the more common causes are delirium and dementia:

Delirium is characterized by:
- Sudden decreased level of consciousness
- Association with medical illness, particularly high fever
Dementia is characterized by:
- Chronic, progressive loss of cognitive function
- Association with brain disorders

Common Causes

Possible causes in older people include:

Malnutrition (particularly vitamin B12 and thiamine deficiency)
Medications
Alcohol in excess
Chronic exposure to cold (hypothermia)
Emotional problems (depression or feeling useless)
Head injury (subdural hematoma)
Unfamiliar surroundings
Dehydration
Electrolyte abnormality
Infection (including pneumonia, gastroenteritis, urinary tract infection)
Thyroid disorders (either underactive or overactive)
Alzheimer's disease

Possible causes in people of all ages include:

Anxiety, emotional problems
Side effects of medication for attention deficit disorder, such as Ritalin
Side effects of antidepressants, such as Prozac
Illicit drug use (particularly stimulants such as amphetamines and cocaine)
Diseases affecting the nervous system (neurological diseases)
Non-neurological diseases, particularly with fever (for example, pneumonia)
Low or high thyroid function
Environmental hazards

Home Care

All unusual behaviors or personality changes should be assessed by a doctor. The following is information on treatments sometimes used in certain situations, but is not intended to replace evaluation by a doctor.

For dementia or unusual behavior that appears to be caused by a brain tumor, head injury, stroke, infection, fever, or pneumonia, seek immediate medical attention.

For delirium caused by anxiety and emotional problems, reassurance and loving support are recommended. Talk therapy and medications may also be useful if the behavior persists.

For delirium or dementia caused by malnutrition, a proper diet and vitamin supplements are recommended after medical evaluation.

For delirium caused by medication, consult your doctor about adjusting dosage, changing medications, or discontinuing them.

For delirium or dementia caused by alcohol in excess, complete abstinence is required.

For delirium related to illicit drug use, stop taking the offending substance and seek a doctor's advice, since withdrawal from certain illicit drugs can be very dangerous.

For delirium caused by emotional problems, psychological counseling is recommended.

For delirium caused by hypothermia, adequate heat and warmth is required. Re-warming should be carefully monitored.

Delirium that follows surgery is usually temporary, but prolonged use of sedatives and painkillers should be avoided.

For dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease, possible new treatments should be discussed with the doctor. Sympathetic care, occupational therapy, and family support are needed.

For dementia caused by Huntington's chorea, supportive care should be provided.

For delirium resulting from environmental causes, a concerted effort should be made to modify the environment or change environments.

For delirium caused by low thyroid function, see your health care provider about thyroid hormone replacement treatment.

Call your health care provider if

Contact your regular health care provider or a neurologist if:

Dementia or delirium is present
Unusual or strange behavior is severe, prolonged, unexplained, or is impairing lifestyle

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain a medical history. The physical examination will probably include a detailed neurological evaluation.

Medical history questions to document unusual or strange behavior in detail may include:

What unusual behaviors are present?
How much is the lifestyle affected?
Can the person eat, dress, and perform other everyday activities?
When did the unusual behavior begin?
Is it getting worse, better, or staying about the same?
How fast is the behavior changing?
What other symptoms are present?

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:

CT scan of the head
Other neurological tests
Blood tests

Review Date:11/15/2006
Reviewed By:Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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