Organic mental disorders mnemonic

Causes of delirium

The mnemonic

I WATCH DEATH

What each word stands for

  • IInfection
  • WWithdrawal
  • AAcute metabolic
  • TTrauma
  • CCNS pathology
  • HHypoxia
  • DDeficiencies (vitamins)
  • EEndocrinopathies
  • AAcute vascular
  • TToxins or drugs
  • HHeavy metals

Why it matters clinically

Delirium is a medical emergency; a systematic search for the cause is the main treatment.

Where it stops being reliable

A checklist of causes only; it does not rank them by frequency.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Organic mental disorders mnemonic?

I WATCH DEATH. It helps you recall: Causes of delirium.

What does "I" stand for?

Infection

What does "W" stand for?

Withdrawal

What does "A" stand for?

Acute vascular

What are all the parts of the I WATCH DEATH mnemonic?

I: Infection; W: Withdrawal; A: Acute metabolic; T: Trauma; C: CNS pathology; H: Hypoxia; D: Deficiencies (vitamins); E: Endocrinopathies; A: Acute vascular; T: Toxins or drugs; H: Heavy metals.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Organic mental disorders in Psychiatry.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

A checklist of causes only; it does not rank them by frequency.

How is this useful clinically?

Delirium is a medical emergency; a systematic search for the cause is the main treatment.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Psychiatry question about Organic mental disorders.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.