Which delirium subtype is associated with restlessness, agitation, irritability, and aggression?

• A. Hyperactive delirium
• B. Hypoactive delirium
• C. Mixed delirium
• D. Affective delirium

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that delirium subtypes are distinguished by how much motor activity and agitation predominate. Restlessness, agitation, irritability, and aggression are classic signs of the hyperactive form of delirium, where a patient is unusually active, easily provoked, and may be combative or disruptively restless. This contrasts with hypoactive delirium, which presents as reduced movement, sluggishness, and withdrawal, not agitation. Mixed delirium combines periods of both hyperactive and hypoactive behavior, and affective delirium isn’t a standard subtype described in most delirium classifications. So the feature set described aligns with the hyperactive subtype.