Episodic Acute Stress: Signs, Causes, Effects, and How to Treat

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Last Update on July 6, 2023 : Published on July 6, 2023
Episodic Acute Stress

We all feel stressed; it’s something of a fact these days, and while some stress can be good for us, too much stress can become too harmful, too quickly. We’ve been told that stress can have detrimental effects on our bodies and minds, but what we are not told is that stress can give us that push of energy that helps us respond quickly to adversities.

One such “healthy stress” is acute. It’s short-term stress that can last anywhere between a few minutes to an hour, however, at the end of it, it’ll leave you with a boost of energy and mental clarity. One such short-term stress is episodic acute stress.

Episodic acute stress is a stress response that is a result of going from one episode of short-term stress to another without a long break in between. It’s a common type of stress when you work in a demanding job, where you’re constantly chasing deadlines. Or when you’re a student going through tests after tests.

Leaving episodic acute stress unaddressed can leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted and can eventually take a toll on your mental well-being. In this article, we’re learning the warning signs of episodic stress, what causes it, and how you can manage episodic acute stress.

The Warning Signs of Episodic Acute Stress

Signs of Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress can be identified when you experience frequent bouts of acute stress symptoms. Here are some of the common signs that you’re experiencing episodic acute stress;

  • Frequent headaches and migraines
  • Feeling constantly on edge
  • Feeling irritable and agitated
  • Feeling overwhelmed and anxious without a stressor
  • Experiencing excessive worry and rumination
  • Experiencing physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, stomach problems, and sleep issues
  • Feeling fatigued, mentally and physically
  • Having trouble concentrating and focusing
  • Experiencing heightened emotional reactivity
  • Wanting to socially withdraw
  • Poor decision-making abilities

What Causes Episodic Acute Stress?

It is believed that a mix of your lifestyle choices and personality traits can be factors that can contribute to your bouts of episodic stress. Other factors that can cause episodic acute stress can include;

  1. Over-commitment: If you’re likely to take on responsibilities beyond what you can handle at a time, then you may be more prone to experiencing episodic acute stress. When you’re constantly under pressure and overwhelmed by tasks, it may result in a constant state of stress.
  2. Being a Perfectionist: The pursuit of perfection can also make you more prone to episodic acute stress. Because you’re a perfectionist, you set exceptionally high standards for yourself that can make you feel overly critical of yourself and when you can’t meet those standards, you may feel stressed.
  3. Stressful Working Environment: High-stress work environments can also be a factor that can cause episodic acute stress. A highly demanding job, long working hours, intense workplace competition, and lack of control can result in you feeling stressed and overwhelmed.
  4. Major Lifestyle Changes: Persisting financial difficulties, relationship problems, and other major life events such as separation from a partner, loss of a loved one, moving to another country, etc., can also trigger episodic stress.

The Effects of Episodic Acute Stress

Episodic acute stress can have long-lasting effects on your well-being if it is left untreated and unaddressed. One of the effects of episodic stress can be on your heart health. It is believed that episodic acute stress can increase blood pressure, and heart rate, and can put you at risk of hypertension.

Experiencing stress without recovering can also weaken your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections and illnesses.

If we talk about the psychological impact of episodic stress, then this type of stress can contribute to the development of mental health disorders such as chronic stress, anxiety disorders, depression, and other mood disorders. If you’re already living with these disorders, then experiencing episodic stress can worsen your existing disorders.

Moreover, experiencing episodic stress can impair cognitive functioning as well. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones such as cortisol that can impair memory retention, concentration, and decision-making skills.

Other than impaired cognitive performance, episodic stress can also impact your sleep quality. You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or having restless sleep. Left unaddressed, episodic stress can contribute to insomnia, sleep deprivation, and overall poor quality of life.

The chronic cycle of acute stress can increase mental fatigue and exhaustion. You may be constantly feeling a lack of energy and low productivity.

How to Manage Episodic Acute Stress?

How to Manage Episodic Acute Stress

With the right steps and timely interventions, you can easily manage stress and reduce the risk of episodic acute stress;

  • Engage in Stress Management

Practice stress management techniques such as deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, mindfulness meditation, or other relaxation techniques to manage stress and promote feelings of relaxation and calm. Practicing these techniques regularly can help you better cope with stress and improve your overall well-being.

  • Make Lifestyle Changes

Making healthy lifestyle choices can also help you prevent episodic stress. You can try engaging in regular self-care, and exercises, and getting enough sleep to combat episodic acute stress and its symptoms. Physical exercise can help release endorphins which can improve your mood. Getting enough sleep can help your mind and body relax and recover. Overall, adopting healthy habits can help manage acute stress effectively.

  • Managing Your Tasks

You can also manage your stress by managing your tasks so that they do not overwhelm you. Employing effective task management skills can help you reduce stress. Try to set realistic goals and realistic expectations, break down your tasks into manageable chunks, and organize your responsibilities effectively.

  • Seek Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic approach that can help you identify negative thought patterns and replace them with positive ones. This therapy can also help you modify your behaviors, beliefs, and thoughts that contribute to your stress. With this approach, you can learn healthy coping strategies, stress management, and other skills to help you combat episodic stress.

  • Seek Social Support

Instead of withdrawing from your social support, actively seek people and connections who can help you reduce and manage stress. Having a strong support system can help you find emotional validation, understanding, and assistance in managing episodic stress.

  • Medications:

In some severe cases of stress, a psychiatrist may prescribe medications to manage episodic acute stress symptoms. Antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and other medications that target specific symptoms may be prescribed by a professional. Please note that you should not take any medication without a prescription as some medications may worsen your existing symptoms of stress.

 

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Do You Go To Bed Angry? Here’s Why You Must Avoid It

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Last Update on July 5, 2023 : Published on July 6, 2023
Do You Go To Bed Angry

Arguments or discussions with loved ones, family members, or colleagues are normal only when you don’t hold a grudge against each other, resolve conflicts right away, and forget heated things said or argued! However, discussions that are initiated over the bed or during dining can be really damaging… Do you know why?

Because there are fewer chances or time to resolve the conflict and unfortunately… going to bed angry becomes the last option. But have you ever heard a rule phrased as “never go to bed angry?” Well, going to bed angry can indeed upset the conflicts and affect your mental health.

If you or your loved one go to bed angry, you must read this blog to avoid going to bed angry! This blog covers why you should follow “never go to bed angry” along with the psychological implications. So, let’s get started!

Reasons Why You Should Never Go To Bed Angry

Reasons Why You Should Never Go To Bed Angry

1. Conflicts can build up overnight.

Heated conversations or arguments started before going to bed can build up overnight if not resolved. Anger emotions can lead to negative thoughts that can convert the whole situation into a major issue. And, the fact is that it feels worse to discuss the whole situation the next day. Such feelings can catastrophize and dig down past mistakes as well.

2. Anger impacts your overall well-being.

Research shows that sleeping on anger changes the memory management in your brain and it catalyzes negative memories and thoughts within. Nipping your anger basically increases negativity and this can directly harm overall wellbeing.

3. Communication gaps or anger disrupt your sleep health.

When there are communication and understanding gaps, it can inflate the anger within more and it can directly impact your sleeping pattern. Lines of communication get limited overnight which disrupts your sleep as it gets difficult to sleep with empty threats or verbal digs.

4. Impulsivity can be really bad for your relationships.

Impulsivity is toxic as it can result in saying hurtful things that you might regret tomorrow. Additionally, impulsivity can intensify emotions.  It takes a lot of commitment to take space, think, and speak in the current situation. Therefore, keep your anger subside and think from a positive viewpoint.

5. Anger can trigger other mental health problems.

Anger is a natural and valuable emotion that should not be avoided as it can result in exhaustion or suffocation. However, you must not also sleep on anger as the pressure of not expressing your emotions can trigger other mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, and more.

6. Sensitivity towards the conflict can reach up to regretful decisions.

Some topics or discussions are so sensitive that they can convert into major conflicts. When we react to a situation with anger or deception, it can lead to saying things that can be unkind.

How To Practice the “Never Go Bed Angry” Rule

Never Go Bed Angry

Going to bed angry can be mentally and physically exhausting, therefore, you must avoid this habit and practice the “never go to bed angry” rule by following the below-mentioned tips:

1. Take some time out and communicate your feelings.

The first ever step to avoid anger before stepping into bed is to find a healthy medium to communicate the problems right away. The goal is not to reach the resolution ASAP but to be honest with each other, express emotions, and put the conversation on hold so that you both can get a good sleep and get time to process the situation. It allows us to revisit the situation with a fresh and healthy perspective.

2. Take the help of useful emotions.

Anger is a normal emotion that we are likely to experience and we can take help from it by locating healthy boundaries, setting our values, and providing insight into the situation from our viewpoint. Use your emotions wisely and avoid blaming each other.

3. Finding a solution over lengthy discussions.

In case you have time, you can take some time and commit to finding a solution over lengthy discussions. It can help in avoiding major conflicts, recognizing emotions, and engaging in honest and healthy communication so that you can move in a positive direction. While communicating your needs, be humble, use your anger productively, and do not forget to set healthy boundaries for the future.

4. Validate each other’s emotions.

While communicating, make sure you’re validating each other’s emotions. You can do so by avoiding distractions during the arguments and viewing the whole situation from their viewpoint. If you’re not able to validate someone else’s emotions in the meantime, you can engage in self-care to process the whole situation from a fresh perspective.

5.  Seek professional support for major issues.

If you or your loved one are not able to find a healthy medium or provide support to each during this challenging time, you can seek the help of a professional. A mental health professional can help you resolve the conflicts and convert the negative thoughts into positive ones.

 

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Why You Hate Talking on the Phone + Tips to Overcome Phone Anxiety

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Last Update on June 26, 2023 : Published on June 26, 2023
Why You Hate Talking on the Phone

I’m not big on social interactions; never have been, but as a kid, avoiding my peers was easy. All I had to do was bury my head in a book and the world would disappear. As an adult, I find it even more challenging to avoid people.

Now, I am a working professional with an adequate social life so it’s safe to say that I can’t avoid people and shut myself in my house all the time. However, that doesn’t mean that others want to avoid me. And the best way to do that, when I’m relaxing at home, is by calling on the phone!

Now, I have nothing against talking on the phone after a day at work, but if my phone rings when I am having my downtime, my first reaction is anxiety. I don’t get startled, but I do get this nervous fluttering in my stomach that I can’t always ignore. So, I researched! And interestingly, I came across this relatively new term, “phone anxiety”

In this digital world, where we’re so dependent on technology, talking on the phone has become a burden as well as a necessity. While I have friends who love talking on the phone for hours, I (and many others like me) find talking on the phone anxious and uncomfortable.

If you fall into the same category as me, then you are not alone in struggling with phone anxiety. In this blog, I’ve listed some pretty common reasons why you may hate talking on the phone and some practical tips on how you can overcome “talking on the phone anxiety”.

“Why Do I Hate Talking On The Phone?”

Do I Hate Talking On The Phone

1. You Have Anxiety

If you hate talking on the phone, then you may struggle with anxiety. During phone conversations, we don’t have the luxury to watch out for visual cues to see how our message is being received. This can make you feel like you’re either being judged or facing rejection. This filling out the blanks can make you feel anxious.

However, if you hate talking on the phone doesn’t mean that you have to have a mental health disorder. It’s a mental health condition when your aversion to phone conversations interferes with your daily functioning. If you fear anxiety is behind your hatred of talking on the phone, then you can seek out a professional for a diagnosis.

2. You Are Impatient

Another reason why you hate talking on the phone can be your impatience. You may have an aversion to talking on the phone because you cannot tolerate interruptions or inefficiency. You may feel that talking on the phone is a waste of time and energy. You’d rather focus on completing your tasks than delaying them by talking on the phone, hence your hatred for talking on the phone.

3. You’re An Introvert

Now, introverts aren’t all necessarily shy, but many find themselves growing anxious and frustrated at the idea of talking on the phone. Speaking from experience, I can say that when I have to make a phone call – important or not – I have to brace myself for the inevitable social interaction.

Some introverted, and shy people may hate talking on the phone so much that they might avoid it until they can’t, and even then, they’ll have a script ready to follow to keep their anxiety at bay. If you’re one of those people, then know that your concerns are valid and heard.

Also Read: A Guide For Introverts: 6 Quick Ways To Recharge Your Social Battery

4. You Have a Fear of Miscommunication

When it comes to text messaging or in-person conversations, you have the luxury of choosing your words, editing them, or even revising them if needed, but when you’re talking on the phone, there are no visual cues or body language that you can read to understand if your message is being communicated as expected.

Phone conversations leave room for miscommunication and misinterpretation, which can only feed the anxiety and fear you already live with.

5. You Don’t Like Losing Control

During a phone conversation, you cannot often control the conversation – physically and otherwise. This inability to choose the time, place, or interruptions can make you feel frustrated and discomforted, causing you to hate talking on the phone or developing phone anxiety.

Is Phone Anxiety A Symptom Of Social Anxiety?

There’s a huge possibility that having phone anxiety or hating phone calls could be a symptom of social anxiety disorder. However, your hatred of talking on the phone can be a minor symptom of social anxiety disorder. The fear of calling or answering calls can stem from the fear of being judged or rejected.

In a 2020 study, it was found that almost 80% of adults don’t like answering calls from unknown numbers. This could mostly be to avoid random spam calls, campaign calls, or sales calls. In an older study, it was found that approximately 75% of Millennials and 40% of Boomers feel anxious when they hear their phone ringing.

It might not always be social anxiety that causes you to hate calling or answering calls. Sometimes, it’s the fear of what you’ll hear or who will be on the other side that drives this hate.

Tips to Cope With Phone Anxiety

Phone Anxiety

If you want to overcome phone anxiety, then you can follow these practical tips;

1. Plan in Advance: If you wish to call someone, then plan in advance by asking them when they’ll be available for a chat. Doing this will help you take the conversation under your control and reduce the anxiety you may feel.

2. Prepare a Script: Having a script to refer to when making a call or talking on the phone can also help you stay on track and stop from spiraling into your anxious thoughts. This step can also make you feel calm if you begin to feel overwhelmed.

3. Talk on The Phone: Now, I know it sounds counterproductive but avoiding calls can’t help you cope with your phone anxiety. If you want to gain confidence and get rid of your hate of talking on the phone, then you can start by taking short phone calls (e.g., make a dinner reservation, etc.)

4. Assess Your Feelings: When you’re talking on the phone, try to understand what you feel during the moment. What is it that makes you anxious? You can write about it in a journal or make a quick note on your phone. This will help you understand your feelings about your phone anxiety and how you can overcome it.

5. Take Breaks in Between Calls: You can also cope with your phone anxiety by taking short breaks to relax and self-care in between the calls you have to make or answer. You can use this time to take deep breaths, practice relaxation exercises, or just think over your script.

6. Try Active Listening: When you’re talking on the phone, try to keep your focus on the other person instead of what you need to say. Practicing active listening can help you stay on track and be mindful of what’s happening in the conversation.

7. Seek Help: If talking on the phone is interfering with your daily life and giving you anxiety and panic episodes, then talking to a professional for help can be a good step here. A therapist can help you understand the cause of your phone anxiety, identify your triggers, and give you healthy coping tips to deal with the anxiety you feel when talking on the phone.

 

 

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How Do The Physical Symptoms of Grief Affect Your Body?

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Last Update on June 23, 2023 : Published on June 25, 2023
Physical Symptoms of Grief Affect Your Body

The odd lump in your throat and the heaviness in your chest when you mourn the loss of a loved one might be brushed off as odd occurrences, but what you may not know is that the heartache, the fatigue, the tightness in your chest, and the stomach cramps that you feel when grieving can all be physical symptoms of grief.

Grief might be a complex emotional response to loss but it can manifest in physical aches and pains too. The stress and sadness that you feel along with grief can impact your physical health too.

Often, we focus on the emotional and psychological aspects of grief, but it’s important to accept the physical signs of grief as well. Our minds and bodies are interconnected and what we experience in our hearts can manifest in our physical health as well.

In this article, we’re exploring the physical symptoms of grief, how they manifest in your body, and how you can navigate through these physical manifestations of grief and bereavement.

Emotional Symptoms of Grief:

  • Feeling teary
  • Experiencing profound sadness
  • Feeling numbness or emptiness
  • Unable to sleep

Grief can also trigger psychological responses such as;

  • Symptoms of depression
  • Symptoms of anxiety
  • Symptoms of prolonged grief disorder
  • Symptoms of chronic stress

The Physical Symptoms Of Grief

Physical Symptoms

1.Fatigue and Exhaustion

One of the most common physical symptoms of grief is fatigue and constant exhaustion. When you’re grieving, it takes a toll on your emotional health as well as mental health, causing physical tiredness. The body’s response to grief also causes a surge in stress hormones, making you lose sleep and energy.

You may constantly feel on edge, nervous, and anxious, causing you little to no time to relax and let the parasympathetic system work. When you’re exhausted, it could manifest in ways such as feeling listless, having eyes drooping, wanting to sleep but being unable to rest, and more.

2.Sleep Struggles

Another common physical symptom that grief manifests is in our sleeping patterns. When you’re grieving, it can result in trouble falling asleep or staying asleep throughout the night. Sometimes, the grief can manifest as racing thoughts, vivid dreams, and intrusive memories and all of this can make it challenging for you to rest properly.

Lack of sleep can show in the puffiness of your eyes, poor coordination, and poor cognitive function. Lack of sleep can also make you feel lethargic, adding to the physical fatigue you experience.

3.Appetite and Digestive Changes

Grief can also impact your appetite and digestive system. Many people find it hard to eat when they are grieving a loss, causing significant weight loss whereas others may find comfort in food. If you make food your coping mechanism, then it may result in emotional eating and weight gain, causing physical health problems.

Grief can also cause digestive issues such as stomach cramps, nausea, and gastrointestinal problems.

4.Weakened Immune System

The stress of grief and bereavement can also weaken your immune system, making you more likely to catch infections and illnesses. Your body naturally responds to grief by releasing stress hormones these can suppress your immune response, leaving you vulnerable to diseases and infections.

If you already have an existing illness, then grief can make you more susceptible to infections due to your already lowered immunity. There have also been studies that say that grief can increase inflammation in the body.

5.Physical Aches and Pains

Another physical manifestation of grief can take the form of physical aches and pains throughout your body. You may experience severe headaches, lower back pain, or just physical discomfort due to grief. These physical symptoms can be a physiological response to stress and emotional distress that commonly occurs when you’re grieving.

The lump you feel in your throat, the nausea you feel in your stomach, and the heaviness you feel in your chest can all be signs of physical aches and pains that grief brings.

6. Cardiac Symptoms

Another physical manifestation of grief takes form through cardiovascular symptoms. Grief can cause symptoms such as increased heart rate, tightness in the chest, or even shortness of breath. The emotional toll of grief can take the physical form of chest pain.

In a research, it was found that most people with poor cardiovascular health are more prone to heart attacks or heart-related issues in the days after the loss.

Tips to Cope With The Physical Symptoms of Grief

Physical Symptoms of Grief

To cope with the physical symptoms of grief, you can try these ways;

1. Practice Relaxation Techniques: You can engage in deep breathing exercises such as PMR, box breathing, or mindfulness breathing to cope with the distress.

2. Get Enough Sleep: Create a consistent sleep routine that you follow regularly. Getting enough sleep can also help you cope with physical and emotional distress. It can help you take care of excessive fatigue and exhaustion as well.

3. Maintain a Healthy Diet: Eat nourishing foods and a well-balanced diet to ensure physical health. It can be hard to find an appetite when you’re grieving but try to eat regular meals, and avoid caffeine, alcohol, and processed foods.

4. Stay Hydrated: Dehydration can also worsen your physical health and symptoms of grief, so make sure you stay hydrated so that you don’t suffer headaches, fatigue, and indigestion.

5. Try Self-Care: Engage in gentle self-care. You can take warm baths, practice yoga, or engage in creative self-expression to help express your feelings and emotions that are too difficult to process emotionally.

6. Try Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and massage therapy are types of alternative therapies you can consider to help ease the physical symptoms of grief. These therapies can reduce muscle tension, improve blood circulation, and promote relaxation.

7. Seek Professional Support: If your physical symptoms are not easy to overcome and are impacting your everyday life, then consider seeking professional help and guidance. You can seek grief counseling or join grief support groups for help.

 

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All You Need To Know About Word Salad In Schizophrenia

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What-is-Word-Salad

Have you ever found yourself or your loved one speaking in a dysfunctional manner? Well, dysfunctional speaking is commonly seen in people with schizophrenia or dementia. The accurate term used for describing dysfunctional speaking is “word salad.”

Word salad is the mixture of words or random phrases in a meaningless or confused manner. People struggling with word salad are not able to present their thoughts coherently which lacks logical structure or the mixture of random words or phrases that makes a little sense.

Word salads are not the sole symptom of schizophrenia but they can be accompanied by other symptoms as well which makes the treatment more complex. This blog covers everything you need to know about word salad in schizophrenia. So, let’s get started!

What is a Word Salad?

“Word Salad” is used for describing a severe type of disorganized speaking or thinking. It can occur in various mental health or neurological conditions such as brain injury, schizophrenia, bipolar mania, or dementia.

The medical term used for word salad is schizophasia which is commonly associated with schizophrenia. It falls under the umbrella of “formal thought disorder.” Research shows that word salad represents the severity of illness.

Psychologically, when people experiencing word salad speak, they are entirely unaware of their phrasing and wording. Consecutively, the phrases or mixture of words need to be clarified. However, when a person speaks, every word or syllable they pronounce is related to a special meaning, making them feel like they are talking in code.

Word salad is not a mental health disorder but it is a symptom of a thought disorder, hence, it does not stand for a specific diagnosis. Word salad can lead to difficulty in communicating, decision-making, or problem-solving.

Here are some of the common examples of word salad in dementia:

  • “Together we spoke of the bright”
  • “Trees flew, glass”
  • “Spider blue bubbles flew.”
  • “Balloons crack children’s play.”
  • “Tea morning biscuits and crackers.”
  • “Placemat slipped on a rock”

Here are some of the common examples of word salad in schizophrenia:

The medical term used for describing word salad in schizophrenia is schizophasia which is experienced along with psychotic episodes.

  • “Summer morning…bright sunrise…water plants…eat breakfast.”
  • “Walking the road…strangers…smiled…windy cold…coffee together.”
  • “Met friend…eating… table…childhood…newspaper amazing.”

Types of Word Salad

Generally, sentences or phrases used while experiencing word salad are not grammatically correct or they lack meaning. As a result, the listener is not able to comprehend the same. Below mentioned are some of the common types of word salad:

1. Aphasia:

Aphasia includes difficulty understanding or speaking words and it is a language disorder that may lead to difficulty in constructing sensible sentences. Aphasia includes strings of words or shorter phrases that lack logic.

2. Clanging:

Clanging involves using words based on sound instead of using words with meaning. This can result in the construction of logical sentences however, the words used are completely unrelated and do not make any contextual sense.

3. Logorrhea:

Logorrhea includes the use of excessive or incoherent words. When someone experiences difficulty in organizing words coherently, they may end up speaking unrelated words or phrases that do not make sense at all.

Symptoms of Word Salad

Psychologically, symptoms associated with word salad vary according to the type of mental health disorder, severity, and more. For example, people experiencing schizophrenia may struggle with word salad severely along with the other symptoms of schizophrenia such as delusions or hallucinations.

Below mentioned are some of the common symptoms of word salad:

  • Confused speech
  • Disorientation
  • Use of made-up words
  • Excessive use of incoherent phrases or words
  • Use of unrelated phrases or words while speaking

Related Blog: Positive and Negative Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Causes of Word Salad

Word salad starts developing when someone’s ability to organize thoughts and express them coherently and logically is weakened. Word salad can be developed in different mental health conditions like delirium, substance or drug abuse, brain injury, stroke, brain damage, the presence of psychiatric disorders (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and more), or disrupted brain functioning.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Word Salad

If you think you or your loved one might be experiencing word salad, you must connect with a mental health professional to get the right diagnosis associated with schizophrenia, dementia, or others.

Please note that word salad caused by dementia may not be treated. However, with the help of medical interventions or supportive care, it can be managed.

Word salads caused by mental health conditions can be treated with psychotherapy (cognitive behavioral therapy) and medication.

Key Takeaway: Supporting a Loved One

Here are some quick self-help tips to support a loved one struggling with word salad:

  • As a listener stay calm and do not get frustrated as people struggling with word salad are not aware of their condition.
  • In cases of dementia, connect with a speech pathologist for assessment
  • Be supportive and patient with them so that they can try expressing their emotions or needs.
  • Stay focused on the conversation, they might be using some codes that can help you unlock their needs.
  • Ask simple questions so that they can easily nod their head and communication can become easy.
  • Avoid correcting or interrupting the person while they are trying to express something.
  • Encourage them to express their thoughts through writing or drawing.
  • Encourage them to seek professional help to ensure issues are addressed and treated.

 

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