What Is a Thought Disorder?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsIdentifying a Thought DisorderCausesTypesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Symptoms

Identifying a Thought Disorder

Causes

Types

Treatment

Coping

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A thought disorder involves a disturbance in how thoughts are organized and expressed. It causesdisorganized thinkingand leads to people expressing themselves in unusual ways when speaking or writing.

Thinking requires the ability to organize thoughts mentally and then express them in an understandable way. A thought disorder can create problems with any or all of these areas.

At a GlanceDisruptions in thought are connected to difficulties in day-to-day functioning, social relationships, and psychological well-being. Signs of a thought disorder include incoherent, illogical, or pressured speech. Other symptoms can include hallucinations, paranoia, and lack of expression. Types of thought disorders may include alogia, echolalia, and word salad. If you think that you or someone you know is experiencing a thought disorder, it’s important to talk to a doctor and explore your treatment options.

At a Glance

Disruptions in thought are connected to difficulties in day-to-day functioning, social relationships, and psychological well-being. Signs of a thought disorder include incoherent, illogical, or pressured speech. Other symptoms can include hallucinations, paranoia, and lack of expression. Types of thought disorders may include alogia, echolalia, and word salad. If you think that you or someone you know is experiencing a thought disorder, it’s important to talk to a doctor and explore your treatment options.

Symptoms of a Thought Disorder

These symptoms can become indicative of a thought disorder depending on their frequency, severity, and the impairment that they cause. Symptoms associated with a thought disorder can include:

Other symptoms that can be associated with thought disorders include delusions,hallucinations, poor judgment, changes in movement,irritability, lack of emotion, lack of expression, andparanoia.

Such symptoms are associated with conditions such as schizophrenia,schizoaffective disorder, and psychosis.

How Are Thought Disorders Identified?

Several assessment tools can be utilized to measure thought disorders, including:

Many medical conditions can also impact verbal and written language performance. These may include:

Before diagnosing a thought disorder, a doctor will need to rule out underlying medical factors that might be causing a person’s symptoms. In addition to evaluating the individual’s speech, a doctor may also give the individual a physical exam and conduct lab tests to look at overall health and check for other medical conditions.

Language abnormalities are common in everyday speech and often result fromstressandlack of sleep. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that the severity and frequency of symptoms are important factors to consider when making a diagnosis.

Diagnosing a thought disorder involves observing and evaluating a person’s verbal responses to questions. In addition to these assessments, medical providers must also rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms affecting speech.

What Causes a Thought Disorder?

The exact causes of thought disorders are not known. However, it is believed that a number of variables may play a contributing role including genetics, brain abnormalities, and environmental factors.

Disorganized thought can be seen in a number of mental health conditions, including schizophrenia. In the case of schizophrenia, some research has suggested that the condition is linked to abnormalities in the brain’s semantic system.

Types of Thought Disorders

Each type of thought disorder has its own set of symptoms that interfere with the thought process. However, in each case, there is a disruption to the organization and expression of ideas and thoughts.

Some of the many different types of thought disorders include:

These are characterized as both types of thought disorders as well as symptoms of formal thought disorder.

Treatment for Thought Disorders

Having a thought disorder can be disruptive, but there are treatments that can help people manage the symptoms. Some treatment strategies that may be used are discussed below.

Psychotherapy

Therapy may be useful for helping people who are also experiencing symptoms of delusional or distorted thoughts. Types of therapy that might be utilized depending on the individual’s symptoms include:

Medications

Medications may sometimes be prescribed to help treat symptoms associated with schizophrenia or psychotic disorders. Such medications may include antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers.

Tips for Coping With a Thought Disorder

Professional treatment is needed to manage thought disorder associated with conditions like schizophrenia. In addition to therapy and medications, people with thought disorders can also benefit from life skills training and social support:

An Overview of Stress Management

Takeaways

If you are experiencing symptoms of a thought disorder that are affecting your ability to communicate,you should talk to your doctor. They can evaluate your symptoms and make a diagnosis. Getting the right diagnosis is the best way to ensure that you receive an appropriate treatment that can help you manage the symptoms that you are experiencing.

12 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hart M, Lewine RR.Rethinking thought disorder.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):514-522. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx003Roche E, Creed L, MacMahon D, Brennan D, Clarke M.The epidemiology and associated phenomenology of formal thought disorder: a systematic review.Schizophr Bull. 2015;41(4):951-962. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbu129American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Spoken language disorders.Rivkin P, Barta P.Thought disorder. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. Updated August 2, 2017.Kircher T, Bröhl H, Meier F, Engelen J.Formal thought disorders: from phenomenology to neurobiology.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(6):515-526. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30059-2Balaram K, Marwaha R. Circumstantiality. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Updated May 9, 2021.L, Parnas J.Thought disorder, subjectivity, and the self.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):497-502. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx032Shryane N, Drake R, Morrison AP, Palmier-Claus J.Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective for individuals experiencing thought disorder?Psychiatry Res. Published online January 21, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112806Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Almerie MQ, Okba Al Marhi M, Jawoosh M, et al.Social skills programmes for schizophrenia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD009006. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009006.pub2Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331

12 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Hart M, Lewine RR.Rethinking thought disorder.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):514-522. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx003Roche E, Creed L, MacMahon D, Brennan D, Clarke M.The epidemiology and associated phenomenology of formal thought disorder: a systematic review.Schizophr Bull. 2015;41(4):951-962. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbu129American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Spoken language disorders.Rivkin P, Barta P.Thought disorder. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. Updated August 2, 2017.Kircher T, Bröhl H, Meier F, Engelen J.Formal thought disorders: from phenomenology to neurobiology.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(6):515-526. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30059-2Balaram K, Marwaha R. Circumstantiality. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Updated May 9, 2021.L, Parnas J.Thought disorder, subjectivity, and the self.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):497-502. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx032Shryane N, Drake R, Morrison AP, Palmier-Claus J.Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective for individuals experiencing thought disorder?Psychiatry Res. Published online January 21, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112806Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Almerie MQ, Okba Al Marhi M, Jawoosh M, et al.Social skills programmes for schizophrenia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD009006. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009006.pub2Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Hart M, Lewine RR.Rethinking thought disorder.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):514-522. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx003Roche E, Creed L, MacMahon D, Brennan D, Clarke M.The epidemiology and associated phenomenology of formal thought disorder: a systematic review.Schizophr Bull. 2015;41(4):951-962. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbu129American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Spoken language disorders.Rivkin P, Barta P.Thought disorder. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. Updated August 2, 2017.Kircher T, Bröhl H, Meier F, Engelen J.Formal thought disorders: from phenomenology to neurobiology.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(6):515-526. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30059-2Balaram K, Marwaha R. Circumstantiality. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Updated May 9, 2021.L, Parnas J.Thought disorder, subjectivity, and the self.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):497-502. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx032Shryane N, Drake R, Morrison AP, Palmier-Claus J.Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective for individuals experiencing thought disorder?Psychiatry Res. Published online January 21, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112806Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.Almerie MQ, Okba Al Marhi M, Jawoosh M, et al.Social skills programmes for schizophrenia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD009006. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009006.pub2Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331

Hart M, Lewine RR.Rethinking thought disorder.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):514-522. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx003

Roche E, Creed L, MacMahon D, Brennan D, Clarke M.The epidemiology and associated phenomenology of formal thought disorder: a systematic review.Schizophr Bull. 2015;41(4):951-962. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbu129

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.Spoken language disorders.

Rivkin P, Barta P.Thought disorder. Johns Hopkins Psychiatry Guide. Updated August 2, 2017.

Kircher T, Bröhl H, Meier F, Engelen J.Formal thought disorders: from phenomenology to neurobiology.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2018;5(6):515-526. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30059-2

Balaram K, Marwaha R. Circumstantiality. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Updated May 9, 2021.

L, Parnas J.Thought disorder, subjectivity, and the self.Schizophr Bull. 2017;43(3):497-502. doi:10.1093/schbul/sbx032

Shryane N, Drake R, Morrison AP, Palmier-Claus J.Is cognitive behavioural therapy effective for individuals experiencing thought disorder?Psychiatry Res. Published online January 21, 2020. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.112806

Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331

National Institute of Mental Health.Schizophrenia.

Almerie MQ, Okba Al Marhi M, Jawoosh M, et al.Social skills programmes for schizophrenia.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;(6):CD009006. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009006.pub2

Caqueo-Urízar A, Rus-Calafell M, Urzúa A, Escudero J, Gutiérrez-Maldonado J.The role of family therapy in the management of schizophrenia: Challenges and solutions.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2015;11:145-151. doi:10.2147/NDT.S51331

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