Hospital Psychosis

I’ve been worried about my mother’s apparent confusion and hallucinations since she’s been in the hospital. I’ve wondered if she would ever again have the cognitive ability, let alone physical strength, to live independently. Then, my sister-in-law told me about hospital psychosis.

Some people, particularly the elderly, are susceptible to this kind of confusion brought on by the unreality of being in a hospital setting. My sister-in-law reminded me that her father, while hospitalized, had been quite certain of a plot to poison him. Later, after he was home, he came to his senses, recalled what he had said (accusingly), and apologized.

Yesterday, on our visit to the hospital, we found Mom groaning and moaning, though when I asked if she was in pain, she said no. Meanwhile, her “roommate” on the other side of the blue curtain, was moaning even louder, complaining of stomach cramps and feeling sick. Shortly after we left, my sister arrived at the hospital to find Mom moaning loudly, crying, and complaining of stomach cramps.

Though Mom did, apparently, have a digestive disturbance (will spare the details), I must wonder whether these two women should be roommates. Are they feeding each other’s psychoses? Have they contracted the same virus or bacteria? Should we protect ourselves by staying away from the hospital and potential airborne pathogens?

Now, who’s psychotic?

Sue