Thought disorders have a profound impact on communication, behavior, and mental wellness. The disorders significantly impact speech and thought patterns, making it difficult for some people to participate in rehabilitation. Driftwood Recovery treats the minor symptoms and side effects of thought disorders using psychotherapy, prescription medications, and alternative treatments.
What Are Thought Disorders?
Thought disorders are a type of language disorder that affects how people think and communicate with one another. According to Schizophrenia Bulletin, the thought disorder “phenomena include: poverty of speech (laconic speech); poverty of content of speech (empty speech, sometimes sounding ‘pseudo-philosophical’); pressure of speech; distractible speech; tangentiality; derailment (loose associations, flight of ideas); incoherence (word salad); illogicality; clanging; neologisms; word approximations; circumstantiality; loss of goal; perseveration; echolalia; blocking (interrupted train of speech or thought); stilted speech (overly formal, pompous, distant, overpolite); self-reference, and paraphasias (mispronuncation or erroneous word-choice).”
Driftwood Recovery addresses thought disorders in various ways, depending on the type and severity of symptoms. A combination of psychotherapy and antipsychotic medications frequently helps clients manage their condition and develop healthier thought patterns.
Common Types of Thought Disorders
Chronic substance abuse may affect the physical structure of the brain and how people function. In some cases, substance use disorder (SUD) contributes to the development of mental health issues that cause disordered thinking. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), “Mental health and substance use disorders share some underlying causes, including changes in brain composition, genetic vulnerabilities, and early exposure to stress or trauma.”
Some of the most common conditions involving disordered thinking include:
- Schizophrenia
- Schizoaffective disorder
- Delusional disorder
- Bipolar disorder
- Seasonal affective disorder (SAD)
- Language disorders
- Brief psychotic disorder
- Substance-induced psychosis
Prolonged substance abuse involving mind-altering substances has the potential to cause long-lasting or permanent disorders in thinking. Individuals who abuse mind-altering substances at a young age have a higher risk of being diagnosed with psychosis or disordered thinking. Early intervention and treatment may help some individuals avoid more severe symptoms and side effects related to thought disorders.
The Impact of Thought Disorders on Daily Life
Thought disorders affect communication, social interactions, self-worth, and overall wellness. Individuals who struggle to connect with others may find it more difficult to get necessary treatment for SUD and co-occurring mental health disorders. Thought disorders can interfere with a person’s relationships, career, health, safety, ability to function, and quality of life.
Treatment Approaches for Thought Disorders
Therapy for thought disorders at Driftwood Recovery focuses on cognitive restructuring and managing symptoms. Some of the treatment approaches include:
- Medication management
- Psychosocial interventions
- Family therapy
- Individual and group therapy
Rehabilitation programs improve communication through peer interactions and proven therapeutic techniques. Clients benefit from tailored treatment plans that address the specific side effects of thought disorders and co-occurring conditions.
Building Healthy Coping Mechanisms
Thought disorders affect how people react to situations and social interactions. Some people may struggle to understand others or communicate effectively. Treatment often involves building healthy coping mechanisms to improve communication.
A few examples of effective coming mechanisms for thought disorders include:
- Challenging and reframing distorted or intrusive thoughts using cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)
- Using grounding exercises to increase mindfulness and stay present in the moment
- Journaling or using other tools to externalize thoughts and check for patterns
- Reality testing by seeking objective evidence to combat distressing or intrusive thoughts
- Prioritizing sleep to improve cognitive function
The clinical team at Driftwood Recovery collaborates with clients to create effective coping strategies for managing thought disorders.
Improving Communication and Social Skills
Thought disorders impact a person’s ability to communicate their needs. Treatment programs improve communication and social skills by giving clients a safe space to express themselves. The care team models healthy social interactions and offers clients the tools to identify healthy and unhealthy thought patterns.
Clients improve their communication and social skills during rehabilitation by doing the following:
- Engaging in structured discussions during group therapy
- Practicing active listening and self-expression
- Using role-playing or other tools to practice real-world scenarios in a controlled setting
- Learning to confidently express needs and personal boundaries
- Practicing nonverbal communication, including body language, eye contact, and gestures
- Learning to manage emotional reactions to social situations
- Building confidence in verbal expression through therapy and support groups
The care team works with clients to ensure they feel comfortable communicating their needs and preferences during every stage of treatment.
Lifestyle Factors and Mental Wellness
A person’s lifestyle will directly affect their thoughts, beliefs, feelings, mental health, and behaviors. Treating and managing the effects of thought disorders often involves making lasting lifestyle changes, including:
- Maintaining physical health through quality sleep, balanced meals, and regular exercise
- Creating a strong support network
- Regularly checking in with loved ones and communicating more openly about needs and wants
Lifestyle changes take time. The professionals at Driftwood Recovery help clients develop new patterns of thought and behavior.
Long-Term Management and Recovery
Thought disorders often require long-term management and treatment. Experts at Driftwood Recovery provide comprehensive aftercare planning and referrals when necessary to outside services. The transition between structured care and independent sobriety is especially difficult for individuals who may struggle to communicate their needs. Driftwood Recovery is dedicated to providing the best care. Clinicians advocate for clients and provide alumni services to ensure individuals in recovery continue to feel supported.
Driftwood Recovery is committed to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to clients with substance use disorder and co-occurring conditions, including thought disorders. To learn more about our programs and services, call us today at (512) 759-8330.
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