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What are the symptoms of confusion or decreased alertness?
Many health problems cause confusion or decreased alertness. It is not unusual for a person who is sick to be sleepy or confused when he or she wakes up. But extreme sleepiness may be a symptom of a more serious health problem.
Confusion
Confusion may range from mild to severe. Symptoms of confusion may include:
- Jumbled or disorganized thoughts.
- Unusual, bizarre, or aggressive behavior.
- Having trouble solving problems or doing tasks that used to be easy for you.
- Not knowing where you are or not recognizing family members or familiar items.
- Firmly held but false beliefs (delusions).
- Seeing, hearing, feeling, smelling, or tasting things that are not really there (hallucinations or illusions).
- Unfounded suspicions that others are after you or want to harm you (paranoia).
Decreased alertness
Decreased alertness occurs when a person is not fully awake, aware of, or able to respond normally to his or her external environment. Decreased alertness may also mean that a chronic illness has gotten worse.
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The content above contains general health information provided by Healthwise, Incorporated, and reviewed by its medical experts. This content should not replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Not all treatments or services described are offered as services by us. For recommended treatments, please consult your healthcare provider.