Symptoms of confusion

Confusion may range from mild to severe. A person who is confused may:

  • Be unable to express his or her thoughts clearly.
  • Behave in an unusual, bizarre, or aggressive manner.
  • Have trouble solving problems and performing simple tasks.
  • Not know where he or she is. Be unable to recognize family members or familiar items.
  • Express firmly held but false beliefs (delusions).
  • See, hear, feel, smell, or taste things that are not really there (hallucinations or illusions).
  • Believe that others want to harm him or her (paranoia).