'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Humans have a complex mind, and thought disorders are one of the conditions that can severely affect it. Surprisingly, it is much more common than what we can imagine.
While these disorders may be challenging for the person facing it, they also make us think of the magnificent diversity of the human psyche. The psyche is our complete mind and how it operates, and sometimes, there can be disruptions that create havoc in our minds.
What Is a Thought Disorder?
Thought disorder, also referred to as formal thought disorder, is a disorder which impacts the structure, organization, as well as content of an individual's thought process. By changing the way we think, it causes confusion in the manner ideas are associated and expressed.
This is typically connected with multiple mental health issues, mostly signs of schizophrenia, but it may also occur in other conditions such as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder.
What Are the Signs of a Thought Disorder?
Thought disorder symptoms can have varying features. Identification of thought dysfunction can get challenging, as it typically manifests itself in a subtle manner and may also differ in intensity. Generally, imagine this condition to add or delete something from your thought process.
For instance, adding thoughts to your process, which are completely unrelated or make no sense can be considered positive symptoms. The word "positive" does not mean good, but rather an additional and atypical symptom. Sometimes, you may experience a deficiency in your thought process.
What Are the Types of Thought Disorders?
Interstingly, the signs may exist as independent conditions or as symptoms of other mental health issues. The common types of thought dysfunctions to look out for are:
1. Incoherence
People with this condition can communicate in a manner that is hard to comprehend. Their sentences may not be logically pleasing that makes conversations disjointed and difficult to follow. Please note that this is different from experiencing language or grammar difficulties.
2. Tangential Thinking
Tangential thinking is another type of thought dysfunction. It includes going off on tangents while conversing, changing course from the topic of importance without the intention of returning back. The person may go into endless discussions with no coherence or a common point.
3. Loose Associations
Thought dysfunctions can result in loose associations, in which an idea flows into another without any logical basis. This can cause jumbled as well as meaningless speech.
4. Neologisms
Individuals with neologisms may start inventing new words or make use of words in an unconventional manner that maks their language appear unfamiliar or mysterious. This is a rare condition, particularly noticeable in a psychotic break.
5. Clanging
Clanging is the habit of selecting words based on the way they sound in place of their meaning. Basically, how the words sound makes an individual's thought process. For instance, "I went up the hill, to catch Jill, and did not stop until."
6. Perseveration
Perseveration consists of individuals excessively repeating ideas, words, or phrases, which can come across as annoying to many. This can also make communicating difficult. This is often seen in children with autism, since they experience a deficiency in communication.
Thought disorders helps us in gaining valuable insight into the complex nature of the human mind. They often disrupt/ distort the typical flow of language as well as thoughts.
However, keep in mind that timely recognition of the symptoms of thought disorder is most crucial for early intervention and necessary treatment planning.
Janvi Kapur is a counselor with a master's degree in applied psychology with a specialization in clinical psychology.
What do you think of this story? Tell us in the comments section below.
