Thought disorders comprise some of the most challenging types of mental illness. When one person develops a thought disorder, it often affects the entire family. Fortunately, there is an effective treatment that allows the individual to manage their condition, as well as teach those who love them to help understand what the person is going through. Forget the old stereotypes about how difficult and archaic treatment is for conditions like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. New View Wellness in Atlanta provides up-to-date, evidence-based care that makes a real impact on different types of thought disorders.
What Are Thought Disorders?
Thought disorders are diagnosed mental illnesses related to difficulties a person experiences in thinking and processing information. They often have trouble expressing their thoughts and speaking. It takes a trained mental health care specialist to diagnose a thought disorder in an individual. While they cannot be cured, great progress can be made in learning to manage the symptoms and side effects of the different types of thought disorders.
Different Types of Thought Disorders
Two main types of thought disorders exist: schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. Additionally, several more different subtypes exist, making it difficult sometimes to get an accurate diagnosis of which exact kind a person deals with. In fact, mental health clinicians must train in order to recognize and treat thought disorders. The disorders can be brought on by genetics, faulty brain chemistry, or even by using hallucinogenic drugs.
Schizophrenia affects an individual’s perception of reality, often causing them to speak and behave irrationally. They may experience visual and auditory hallucinations they believe to be real. Schizoaffective disorder has similarities to schizophrenia, including hallucinations and trouble thinking and expressing emotions. Along with that, the person experiences symptoms of a mood disorder, including depressive types and bipolar types.
Alogia: The individual rarely speaks unless asked to, and even then gives short responses.
Blocking: Difficulty completing a thought, often taking long pauses while talking, or changing the subject mid-sentence.
Circumstantiality: The person starts with one topic, then switches to an unrelated topic before coming back to the original subject. They may also add details that aren’t necessary to any story they tell.
Echolalia: The individual often repeats words, phrases, or noises the person to whom they are speaking uses.
Incoherence: Often called “word salad”, the person speaks in a random way or order of words, making it difficult for others to understand them.
Neologism: The use of new or non-existent words or phrases when speaking.
Paraphasic error: The individual consistently mispronounces words.
Perseveration: The person repeats words or topics excessively, seemingly unable to stop themselves.
Pressure of Speech: Speaking at a rapid rate, often in a loud voice, making it hard for someone to be part of the conversation.
Signs and Symptoms of a Thought Disorder
While there are several types and subtypes of thought disorders, many of the symptoms for them are similar. Common signs that someone has a thought disorder include:
- Trouble focusing on a conversation
- Difficulty thinking and processing information
- Difficulty speaking coherently
- Refusal to speak unless prompted
- Visual and auditory hallucinations
- Rocking or pacing back and forth
- Acting restlessly or dangerously
- Paranoia
- Delusions of grandeur
- Acting incoherently
- Isolating
- Drug or alcohol abuse
How Are Thought Disorders Treated in Atlanta, GA?
Unlike some types of mood disorders, thought disorders cannot be cured. However, proper, professional thought disorder treatment can help the person manage their mental health in a way that allows them more flexibility in how they live. It also can provide a higher quality of life and more of an ability to experience positive emotions like happiness. Without treatment, thought disorders often worsen over time and may result in a person being unable to live without 24/7 medical and psychological supervision.
Two main approaches to treating thought disorders come into play. The first is medication. The use of antipsychotic, antidepressant, and mood stabilizer medications can help a person manage their symptoms. An assessment by a skilled medical expert will determine what type of medications and the dosage needed.
The second avenue for treating different types of thought disorders is psychotherapy. Cognitive-behavioral therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy in particular can help many people with these challenging mental health disorders. If the person is capable of undergoing this type of therapy, it can help them understand and organize their thoughts, emotions, and actions. They learn to become more skilled at problem-solving and understanding how to care for themselves.
When loved ones attend family therapy, this can help them gain insight into the family member’s condition. The therapist can teach them how they can help the person they love, how to recognize symptoms when they arise, and help try to make sure the person takes any needed medications.
Are Mental Health Disorders Covered By Insurance?
Because mental illness is recognized as a medical condition, most insurance companies cover treatment for them. Coverage for the different types of thought disorders may include individual therapy, family therapy, outpatient care, and residential treatment. Anyone interested in using their insurance to cover care for thought disorders should contact their company first. Additionally, a representative can go over their options for treatment and any costs that may come out-of-pocket.
Treatment for Thought Disorders in Atlanta, GA
When you or someone you love suffers from different types of thought disorders, it can make just getting through the day difficult. Dealing with conditions like schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder doesn’t have to mean living life without the vital assistance a person needs. New View Wellness in Atlanta provides effective, modern treatment for thought disorders. We help educate both the person with the diagnosis and their loved ones to better understand the illness and how to cope with it. Do you want more information on dealing with thought disorders? Visit our admissions page now and let us answer any questions you have. A better, brighter day can begin today.