sundowner syndrome

English

Alternative forms

• sundown syndrome, sundowner's syndrome, sundowners syndrome

Noun

sundowner syndrome (uncountable)

1. (medicine, psychology, psychiatry) A state of agitation, confusion, or delirium, especially in elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia, which begins daily at nightfall and which is alleviated by daylight.
   • 2003, Susan B. Connor, “Ch. 10: Nursing Care in Flight”, in Aeromedical Evacuation, New York: Springer, →ISBN, page 139:

     Patients who become easily confused, such as elderly patients with "sundowner syndrome" or dementia, and patients recovering from drug-related hallucinations may manifest symptoms during flight regardless of the time of day.

Synonyms

• nocturnal delirium
• sundowning