THOUGHT DISORDERS
Q: I recently heard the term “thought disorder” for the first time. Is that a type of dementia or mental health problem?
A: A thought disorder is essentially a disturbance or problem with how your thoughts are organized and expressed. The condition is sometimes referred to as “disorganized speech,” but it can affect how you express yourself in writing, not just verbal communication. Thought disorders are not considered symptoms of dementia or cognitive impairment, but they are key symptoms of schizophrenia and certain psychotic disorders. A thought disorder can mean you have trouble staying on one topic or you speak or write incoherently or illogically. It can also involve rushed speech or difficulty speaking at all. There are several different types of thought disorders, each one characterized by different symptoms. Expressing yourself requires you to think about ideas and information and organize them into thoughts that can be shared in understandable ways. With a thought disorder, you may have trouble organizing thoughts, expressing them, or both. Treating a thought disorder may involve psychotherapy with medications that treat psychotic disorders such as antipsychotic drugs.
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