Cognitive Psychology Thought Disorder

DISORDERS OF THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Thought Disorder
Thought disorders are significantly abnormal cognitive
disturbances that can seriously impact an individual’s
thought process, language, and communication abilities.
Thought disorders are primarily expressed or observed
through the individual’s speech, making it difficult for the
individual to communicate needs and concerns.
Disorganized thinking and thought disorders present with
severe levels of disorganization that significantly impact the
person’s ability to engage in a conversation or engage at all.
Examples of this include quickly switching from one topic to
another, providing minimally or unrelated answers to
questions, and responding with a mix of words that don’t
form a sentence
The APA commonly associates thought disorders with
schizophrenia due to the disorganized thought in
schizophrenic episodes; however, thought disorders can also
be observed in mood disorder, manic episodes and other
psychotic disorders.
Thought disorders can also be observed in connection to
physical and neurological issues such as dementia
Thought Disorder Symptoms

The symptoms of thought disorder can seriously impair an
individual’s ability to communicate, whether writing or
speaking. Keep in mind that symptoms of thought disorder
can appear differently in each individual, making diagnosis a
highly individualized process.
TYPES OF THOUGHT DISORDERS
Alogia
When an individual has difficulty speaking in general. The
individual may struggle with verbal fluency, which is the
ability to recall memories and express that information
Alogia is often linked to schizophrenia. It’s considered a
negative (and sometimes early) symptom of schizophrenia.
Speech problems may be caused by other things, like
psychosis or anxiety. That’s called secondary alogia.
•Pause for a long time between words
Give short or one-word responses
Answer only what someone asks you
Have a flat tone in your voice
Have dull facial expressions
Use limited sign language (if you can’t hear
Thought Blocking
Any experience where a person suddenly finds themselves
unable to think, speak, or move in response to events that are
happening around them. This may happen at any time
When an individual appears to have difficulty fully expressing
or completing their thoughts, especially if they’re observed to
have frequent pauses in speech. There may be a significant
delay in completing one’s thoughts; they might simply stop
speaking.
The average duration of episodes is between a few seconds
to a minute or longer. However, episodes may last more than
an hour in extreme cases.
Sometimes it’s hard to identify someone who is experiencing
thought blocking because they typically don’t make any
noise and don’t seem like they’re doing anything.
Circumstantiality
When an individual speaks in a circular, “roundabout”
manner . They might fall into tangents about things that
aren’t related and eventually return to the focus of their
statement or the proposed question .
Include a lot of irrelevant details
Talk about things that are related to the subject but not
important.
Tell stories that are only slightly related to the subject
Answer questions with a lot more detail than is necessary.
Return to the main point only after talking about a lot of
other things.
Clanging or Clang Association

is a speech pattern where people put words together
because of how they sound instead of what they mean.
When an individual speaks in words that are connected by
how they sound vs. what they mean or by any context. Rather
than having a straightforward thought filled with meaning,
the person might use a jumble of similar-sounding words.
Clanging usually involves strings of rhyming words, but it
may also incorporate puns (words with double meanings),
similar-sounding words, or alliteration (words beginning with
the same sound
A clanging sentence may begin with coherent thought and
then get derailed by sound associations. For instance: “I was
on my way to the store the chore the bore some more.”
Clanging may be an indication that the individual is either
having or about to have an episode of psychosis. During
these episodes, people may hurt themselves or others, so
getting help quickly is important.
Circumstantiality
When an individual speaks in a circular, “roundabout”
manner . They might fall into tangents about things that
aren’t related and eventually return to the focus of their
statement or the proposed question .
Include a lot of irrelevant details
Talk about things that are related to the subject but not
important.
Tell stories that are only slightly related to the subject
Answer questions with a lot more detail than is necessary.
Return to the main point only after talking about a lot of
other things.
Clanging or Clang Association

is a speech pattern where people put words together
because of how they sound instead of what they mean.
When an individual speaks in words that are connected by
how they sound vs. what they mean or by any context. Rather
than having a straightforward thought filled with meaning,
the person might use a jumble of similar-sounding words.
Clanging usually involves strings of rhyming words, but it
may also incorporate puns (words with double meanings),
similar-sounding words, or alliteration (words beginning with
the same sound
A clanging sentence may begin with coherent thought and
then get derailed by sound associations. For instance: “I was
on my way to the store the chore the bore some more.”
Clanging may be an indication that the individual is either
having or about to have an episode of psychosis. During
these episodes, people may hurt themselves or others, so
getting help quickly is important.
Derailment
An individual’s inability to maintain one thought . They will
interrupt one thought to move to another that tends to not
be connected or only indirectly . Not only is this observed in
an individual’s speech, but it can also be observed in their
writing . Derailment is frequently called “loose associations . ”
A person with derailment talks in chains of only semi-related
ideas. Their ideas often fall further and further from the topic
of conversation.
For example, a person with derailment thought disorder
might jump from talking about rabbits to the hair on their
head to your sweater.
Echolalia
When an individual is observed repeating back the words
that people are saying to them . This repetition is observed to
be emotionless or impersonal . While echolalia is seen in
developmental disorders, such as autism, it is also seen in
individuals with thought disorders
People with echolalia repeat noises and phrases that they
hear. They may not be able to communicate effectively
because they struggle to express their own thoughts.
For example, someone with echolalia might only be able to
repeat a question rather than answer it. In many cases,
echolalia is an attempt to communicate, learn language, or
practice language.
Some people experience this issue only when they are
distressed or anxious. Others experience it all the time, which
may eventually cause them to be mute because they can’t
express themselves.
It’s common for children with autism or children
Adults with severe amnesia or head trauma may experience
echolalia as they try to regain their speaking abilities
Perseveration
When an individual is speaking excessively with a singular
focus on one topic or thought. It may involve repeating
phrases related to these topics.
This is demonstrated by the inability to shift from one
concept to another or to change or cease a behavior pattern
once having started it.
CAUSES OF THOUGHT DISORDER
Research notes a connection with epilepsy, genetics, and

with patients being in homes with abnormal speech and
communication patterns.
Thought disorders are commonly symptoms of
schizophrenia, which is a condition caused by a multitude of
factors
But they are also seen in conditions such as other psychotic
and mood disorders, developmental disabilities, neurological
issues, and physical health issues.
Some theories focus on communication between individuals
and their families or guardians.
Other studies note that genetics and environment may both
play a role in the formation of thought disorders.
Some researchers report that thought disorders are normal
in children’s development, specifically in diagnoses of
attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), seizures,
epilepsy, and high-functioning autism.
They noted, however, that the presence of thought disorder
in children with epilepsy and partial seizures could impact
their ability to gain certain developmental skills.

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DISORDERS OF THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING

Thought Disorder Symptoms

Clanging or Clang Association

Clanging or Clang Association

CAUSES OF THOUGHT DISORDER

Research notes a connection with epilepsy, genetics, and

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