Each thought disorder breaks the link between one idea and the next in its own way.
More, if you want it
Outcomes (8)
Recognise tangentiality by speech that leaves the question and never returns to its point.
Tell from by whether each link between topics stays understandable.
Predict the likelier diagnosis from .
Predict the likelier diagnosis from .
Name from one speech sample.
Name from one speech sample.
Name from one speech sample.
Tell from .
Summary
In , the link between ideas breaks, so the type of break gives the name.
loses the question's point, because speech moves away and never comes back.
shifts topics with little understandable link, which ties more to than .
moves fast, unlike derailment, because each link between topics stays understandable, and the pattern is often seen in mania.
joins ideas by sound, weaves ideas into one, and drops causal links.
cuts the flow suddenly, so the speech stops instead of wandering.
Before choosing an option, ask whether the listener can follow each link.
Map
Tangentiality: shows speech losing the question's point.
Derailment and flight of ideas: compares breaking links with holding links.
Sound and structure of links: adds links made by sound or merging.
Substitution and blocking: shows thoughts swapped or stopped mid-flow.
Summary table: sets each disorder beside its closest look-alike.
Tangentiality
Must know
In formal thought disorder, the patient's speech changes in how one idea joins the next.
A doctor asks a patient, "How did you get here today?" The patient's speech should move from that question to an answer. In , the patient's speech changes in how one idea joins the next.
In tangentiality, the patient starts near the question and then drifts to another subject. A patient might mention the bus and then talk only about football. Speech in tangentiality moves away from the question and never returns to its point.
5 more sections on Formal thought disorder
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