Unable to speak properly, only others notice?

[Tanya]

I have a problem that I've notice is getting worse lately. I say things incorrectly (putting words in sentences backwards and sometimes slurring my speech, unable to pronounce the word). I have no clue what it could be. I can't describe things sometimes because I can't find or say the right words or I'll say something wrong and get called out by others for it. I'll say a sentence and someone will try to correct me, saying that I said something completely different than what I thought I said. It's driving me crazy, especially lately. What could this be?

[Helpful Guy]

Here is what you or others will notice about you if you have schizophrenia...

CHARACTERISTIC SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA:

1. DELUSIONS - false beliefs despite evidence proving they are false:

a. Paranoid delusions (also called delusions of persecution) - you believe people are "out to get you," or people are doing things when there is no evidence of it… (“Martians are trying to poison me with radioactive particles delivered through my tap water.”)

b. Delusions of reference - you believe things seem to be directly related to you even though they are not, you believe people are talking about you or special personal messages are being communicated to you through the TV, radio, other media or objects.

c. Somatic delusions - false beliefs about your body: you believe a terrible physical illness exists or that something foreign is inside you.

d. Delusions of grandeur - you believe you are very special, or have special powers or abilities (thinking you are a famous rock star, or that you can fly).

e. Delusions of control - you believe that your thoughts or actions are being controlled by outside, alien forces:

Thought broadcasting: (“My private thoughts are being transmitted to others.”)

Thought insertion: (“Someone is planting thoughts in my head.”)

Thought withdrawal: (“The government is robbing me of my thoughts.”)

2. HALLUCINATIONS:

a. Visual (seeing things that are not there or that other people cannot see)

b. Auditory (hearing voices or sounds that other people cannot hear)

c. Tactile (feeling things that other people don't feel or feeling something touching your skin that isn't there)

d. Olfactory (smelling things that other people cannot smell, or not smelling the same thing that other people smell)

e. Gustatory (tasting things that aren't there)

3. DISORGANIZED SPEECH/THINKING - Disjointed or rambling speaking where a person seems to be talking to himself/herself or to imaginary people or voices.

a. Loose associations: (rapidly shifting from topic to topic with no connection between one thought and the next).

b. Neologisms: (made-up words or phrases that only have meaning to the patient).

c. Perseveration: (saying the same thing over and over).

d. Clang: (meaningless use of rhyming words)… (“I said the bread and read the shed and fed Ned at the head.")

4. GROSSLY DISORGANIZED - difficulty in goal-directed behavior leading to difficulties in ADLs (activities of daily living), unpredictable agitation or silliness, social disinhibition (lack of restraint), or behaviors that are bizarre to observers, inappropriate reactions (laughing at a funeral).

5. CATATONIC BEHAVIOR – a decrease in reaction to the surrounding environment, being motionless and unaware, having rigid or bizarre postures, or useless excess motor activity, passing suddenly from a state of stupor to a state of extreme excitement (shouting, pacing, violence toward themselves or others).

6. NEGATIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA - the lack of important abilities:

a. Alogia: (difficulty or inability to speak): slowing or blocked thoughts, or short, empty replies to questions.

b. Affective flattening: (the reduction in emotional expression): including facial expression, voice tone (lack of normal intonations and variance), eye contact (person seems to stare, has a blank, blunted facial expression, doesn't maintain eye contact in a normal way), not able to interpret body language or use appropriate body language, or having flat physical movements.

c. Avolition: (the reduction, difficulty, or inability to initiate and continue goal-directed behavior): not interested in going out and meeting with friends or activities that the person used to show enthusiasm for, no longer interested in much of anything, inability to make friends or keep friends or not caring to have friends, lack of interest in life, low motivation, low energy, sitting in the house for many hours a day doing nothing and sleeping much more than normal, social isolation (spending most of the day alone or only with close family).

COGNITIVE SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA:

1. disorganized thinking

2. slow thinking

3. difficulty understanding

4. poor concentration

5. poor memory

6. difficulty expressing thoughts

7. difficulty integrating thoughts, feelings and behavior

Schizophrenia is a disease of the brain. You are powerless over your disease. There is nothing to be ashamed of. There is only one way to be well... TREATMENT. You can't do it by yourself. One treatment is going to a hospital that specializes in treating schizophrenia. You will live there for several weeks to several months. Another treatment is what is called an Intensive Outpatient Program, or IOP. Another treatment is going to a psychiatrist. A psychiatrist can prescribe medication for you. So, three treatments are: a hospital, an IOP, or a psychiatrist. Please pick one.

[Sophia]

You should see a therapist. They will tell you what's going on and show you how to fix it

[Steph]

This happens to me sometimes. Maybe try and talk slower. It happens to me when I speak too fast.

[David]

this happens to me i think its down to your mind racing over so many thoughts your brain just want function with all the info. just take a breath and take it easy