What Are the Different Types of Thought Disorders?

“The cat fell silly cows struggle down.” “Through the tunnel, purple mountain a desk eat ruby jade.”

While these sentences certainly don’t make sense, for a person with a thought disorder, this is a normal occurrence. Thought disorders can be frustrating for everyone involved, especially if that person neglects to get thought disorder treatment.

A thought disorder is when someone has trouble creating logical sentences through speech and/or writing. Thought disorders are often symptoms of other mental health disorders, most commonly schizophrenia or psychotic disorders, among others. A person suffering from this disorder will often require formal mental health treatment to see improvement. There are many different types of thought disorders and they vary in severity. Some people may be incomprehensible entirely.

Thought Disorder Examples

As providers of dual diagnosis treatment, we come across people with various mental health problems as well as addiction issues. We want to educate you on some of the different types of thought disorders so that you can watch out for any related mental health problems and get your loved one the proper care if necessary.

Perseveration – This type of thought disorder refers to the repetition of words or topics in an excessive and obsessive manner.

Echolalia – In this example, the individual will simply repeat the phrases of the person who is talking to them.

Incoherence – Also referred to as “word salad,” this disorganized thinking example affects the order of words and semantics, thus causing a struggle to create consistent speech.

Blocking – When a person seems unable to ever complete their thought because of constant pauses, they are likely experiencing blocking.

Neologism – A person who struggles with neologism will often create new words or expressions when they talk.

Circumstantiality – This type of speech is superfluous and roundabout. The speaker will go off on irrelevant tangents before coming back to the main point of the story.

Pressure of Speech – A person with pressure of speech problems will speak at a faster rate and often in a higher volume. It can be difficult to get a word in with this person.

Word Approximations – This thought disorder refers to the abnormal and incorrect use of words in the middle of sentences.

Is your loved one exhibiting signs of a mental health disorder? Our mental health PHP may be what they need to help them confront this disorder.

Learn more about our mental health care in Boca Raton and how we may be able to assist your loved one by calling 888-280-4763.

Sources:

1. John Hopkins Psychiatry Guide – Thought Disorder