A thought disorder is a type of mental health disorder that may not always be diagnosed initially as it shares symptoms with other mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and mania. This disorder is characterized by difficulties concentrating, disorganized thinking, and difficulties forming sentences. When someone suffers from this condition, it directly impacts their daily functioning.
Fortunately, thought disorders are treatable conditions using different evidence-based and holistic therapies and medications.
What Is a Thought Disorder?
A thought disorder is a mental health disorder that affects an individual’s ability to write, speak, and think logically and clearly. Individuals with this condition often struggle to concentrate, organize their thinking, and form coherent sentences.
When they talk, their words may not make any sense whatsoever to those around them. They may also stop speaking suddenly in the middle of a sentence. When they resume speaking, it is often about a different topic.
Types of Thought Disorders
There are several different types of thought disorders, each with their own characteristics and symptoms, including:
- Tangentiality: People with this thought disorder have difficulties staying on topic. They will go off-topic, frequently lose their train of thought, and can jump from one topic to another.
- Blocking: Individuals that experience block will abruptly stop mid-sentence, pause, and when they resume speaking, have changed the topic.
- Word salad: People with this thought disorder use a variety of random and unrelated words when they speak because their thoughts are so jumbled.
- Alogia: People with alogia typically do not speak unless spoken to, and when they do, their response is brief without any elaboration.
- Neologism: Neologism is creating new words with no real meaning other than to the person who uses them. The words will be randomly inserted into speech and writing.
- Clanging: An individual with clanging thought disorder will choose words based on the sounds they make rather than their meaning. Rhyming, puns, and alliterations are common and often do not make sense to others.
- Thinking in circles: This type of thought disorder, also known as circumstantiality, occurs when a person can maintain their train of thought but frequently goes off topic to provide an excessive amount of unnecessary details that have nothing to do with the primary topic before returning to the primary topic.
- Echolalia: Individuals with echolalia mimic and repeat what they hear other people say and often struggle to express their own thoughts.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of a Thought Disorder?
Some of the more common signs of thought disorders are:
- Disorganized speech and thought processes
- Difficulties concentrating and focusing
- Mood swings
- Changes in behavior
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Delusions
- Social withdrawal
- Changes in appetite
- Changes in weight
- False beliefs
- Social isolation
- Difficulties managing emotions
- Self-harm and suicidal thoughts
- Hallucinations
It is important to remember thought disorder symptoms can overlap with other mental health disorders as well as certain medical conditions. It is vital to rule out any other mental health or medical conditions before receiving a formal diagnosis. People can also suffer from co-occurring mental health disorders and have overlapping symptoms.
Causes of Thought Disorders
Currently, there is no one particular cause for thought disorders. Instead, various factors could contribute towards the development of a through disorder, including:
- Genetics: A family history of schizophrenia, another mental health disorder, or substance use disorder increases the risk of developing a thought disorder.
- Pre-existing mental health disorders: If someone already has an existing mental health disorder, such as anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder, it can increase the risk of developing a thought disorder.
- Brain abnormalities: Abnormalities in the chemistry and structure of the brain are a contributing factor to thought disorders.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI): Sustaining a TBI, especially in the region responsible for thought and language processing, could result in the development of thought disorders.
- Environmental factors: Excessive stress, substance abuse, and unresolved trauma are also related risk factors for developing thought disorders.
Risk Factors
The risk factors of having a thought disorder are related to cognitive problems and other related mental health conditions and symptoms, as follows:
- Schizophrenia
- Mood disorders
- Depression
- Anxiety disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Psychosis
- Excess stress
- Autoimmune disease
- Psychoactive substance use disorders
- Prolonged hazardous chemical exposure
What Are the Treatment Options?
The treatment options for thought disorders involve using evidence-based and holistic modalities as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, such as:
- Individual psychotherapy: Individual therapy allows people to talk about their feelings, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors with a mental health professional in a private, safe, and secure environment.
- CBT: CBT is one of the most widely used forms of therapy to help people identify the underlying causes of their symptoms and develop coping skills.
- DBT: DBT combines CBT and provides additional help in developing healthier thought processes and additional coping techniques.
- Group therapy: Group therapy provides an opportunity for peer support with others also suffering from thought disorders to learn from one another, practice coping strategies, and learn more about their condition.
- Family therapy: Family therapy helps educate family members about their loved one’s thought disorder, improves communication, and provides support for everyone.
- Holistic therapy: Yoga, meditation, mindfulness, art therapy, and other holistic treatments help heal and restore balance to the mind, body, and spirit.
- Medication management: The use of different FDA-approved medications can help people lead productive lives while managing the symptoms of their thought disorders.
Contact Montare Behavioral Health to Treat a Thought Disorder
If you are exhibiting symptoms of a thought disorder, it is vital to obtain a formal diagnosis in order to obtain treatment. At Montare Behavioral Health, we can help diagnose and treat thought disorders, other mental health disorders, and co-occurring conditions. Our caring and compassionate team provides comprehensive care tailored to your specific needs at our treatment facilities in California and Arizona. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation and start the journey to improved mental health.
Published: 4/9/2025
