Thought-blocking occurs when you abruptly stop talking in the middle of a sentence or when your train of thought comes to a complete stop in the middle of a thought. While it may be common to suddenly forget what you were about to say or what you were thinking, it is another matter when mental illness is the reason for this symptom. By knowing what is causing your thought-blocking, you can know whether or not it is a sign that it is time to seek treatment.
Mental Health Disorders That Lead to Thought-Blocking
One condition that causes thought-blocking is psychosis, i.e., when someone becomes detached from reality. Psychosis can cause hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized speech.
Psychosis tends to be a symptom of a mental health disorder related to a specific condition, such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. These mental illnesses can lead to thought-blocking when they impact how someone feels, talks, thinks or acts. Other mental health disorders that cause thought-blocking include severe depression, delusion disorder, or certain personality disorders.
Environmental Factors of Thought-Blocking
Intense emotional or physical events can lead a person to “block” out specific memories, thoughts, feelings, or emotions. Traumatic memories can cause you to stop speaking or thinking altogether. Taking recreational drugs can also lead to disorganized speech. The same can be said of alcohol abuse.
Treatment Options for Thought-Blocking
The best way to treat thought-blocking is to manage your psychosis. If you have schizophrenia, you may need to take medications that treat the chemical imbalances in your brain. Mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications can reduce your symptoms.
You could also benefit from cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to better cope with your mental illness. Your therapist can also recommend making lifestyle changes to your diet, sleep, and exercise regimen.
When to Seek Professional Help
Anyone who is experiencing thought-blocking or psychosis needs to see a doctor as soon as possible. People with psychosis may think people are out to get them, see their bodies differently, or feel like they have superpowers.
Some people with psychosis can also go off-topic without ever returning to the original topic. They could make no sense when speaking or are unable to follow their thought patterns.
If you are experiencing thought-blocking due to psychosis from a mental health disorder, it is essential to seek treatment to get your thoughts in order.
Thought-blocking occurs when you stop talking in the middle of a sentence or when your train of thought comes to a complete stop in the middle of a thought. This frustrating symptom is a result of mental health disorders like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. At Alta Loma, we understand how mental health symptoms can interfere with your life, and we are here to help you. Located in Georgetown, Texas, we can provide you with individualized therapy, medication management, life and coping skills education, and more. Give us a call at (866) 457-3843 to learn more.