Delirium, a delirious statě, is a serious pathological condition with high mortality. With progressin age its incidence inereases in gerontopsychiatry. In question is aqualitative disorder of consciousness manifesting a varying clinical picture. Delirium is a non-specific organic psychic syndrome characterized simultane-ously by disorders of consciousness and of attention, perception, thinking, emotion, psychomotorics, beha-vior, and the sleep and vigilance eyele. Early diagnosis and treatment improve the overall prognosis in the patient. The delirious condition is indicated for acute hospitalization within the framework of non-voluntary hospi­talization. The patient is dangerous to him/herself and surroundings in a conerete and immediate way.

        Key words: delirium - dementia - gerontopsychiatry - co-morbidity - psychopharmaceutics.