Patterns of Speech Flashcards
Involuntary interrupting, forgetting or repressing a train of thought because of mental/emotional conflict.
Blocking
A pathologic, parrot-like repeating of a word or phrase just uttered by another.
Echolalia
A speech pattern in which the client cannot separate the relevant from the irrelevant and includes a myriad of useless details until the main thought intended is lost. The client may need to have the original question repeated. (Frequently seen in schizophrenia.
Circumstantiality
A speech pattern in which the client talks in a continuous stream, switching rapidly from one topic to another, with each topic unrelated and incoherent. New topics may be stimulated by some environmental happening. (Frequently seen in schizophrenia)
Flight of Ideas
Fabrication of experiences or situations. Usually, these lies are told in a detailed and plausible manner to cover up gaps in memory. (Often seen in Korsakoff’s psychosis – alcoholic brain syndrome, head injury, or early Alzheimers)
Confabulation
A jumble of words or phrases without meaning or coherence. (Sometimes seen in disoriented persons or schizophrenics)
Word Salad
An inability or refusal to speak. (Sometimes seen in the catatonic, stuporous, hysteric, or depressed client)
Mutism
The rhythmic, compulsive, inappropriate repetition of words, actions, movements, or behaviors. (Seen in schizophrenics and those with frontal lobe brain injuries)
Perseverance
Loud, accelerated speech that is difficult, if not impossible, to interrupt. (May be seen in mania)
Pressured Speech
A pattern of speech in which the choice of words is governed by sounds. Often take the form of rhyming.
Clang Associations
Speech or thinking that is essentially incomprehensible to others. Words or phrases are understandable but are joined together in a meaningless manner.
Incoherence
