Word finding disorder

Word finding disorders are not only found in childhood, but often also in adulthood. Such disorders are usually temporary in children. In order to secure and accelerate the healing process, treatment with a speech therapist is recommended.

What are word finding disorders?

In order to secure and accelerate the healing process in such a disorder, treatment with a speech therapist is recommended.

Science differentiates word finding disorders into dysphasia and aphasia. In aphasia, there is damage to the ability to express themselves, which can be caused by neurological injuries or tumors. Dysphasia, on the other hand, is a developmental disorder.

Asphasia can be divided into several levels of difficulty. In the case of stronger forms, in addition to speaking, understanding and the ability to read are also impaired. Word finding disorders of this form show up through frequent pauses during a conversation. These pauses arise because a suitable word is sought. Under certain circumstances there may also be errors in word form and word choice.

causes

Word-finding disorders are often caused by damage to language-relevant areas that are located in the cerebral cortex of the language-dominant hemisphere.

So-called “cerebral vascular insults” (strokes), which result in an interruption in blood flow or bleeding, are among the most common causes. In this case, the functionality of the language-relevant areas in the brain is often affected.

Meningitis, accidents (e.g. traumatic brain injury), brain tumors or even dementia diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's dementia) are also possible causes of word finding disorders.

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Diseases with this symptom

• tumor
• Alzheimer
• concussion

• Meningitis
• stutter
• stroke

• Developmental Disorders in Children
• dementia
• Brain tumor

Diagnosis & course

For a therapy with optimal results, the diagnosis of a word-finding disorder is of particular importance. The focus here is on finding the functional impairment that leads to the word finding disorder.

A so-called word processing model is used to narrow down the corresponding level of disturbance, and conversations between doctor and patient take place to collect the findings. The doctor will also seek additional examinations, which can be used to accurately check the symptoms using selected methods. For example, studies on the production of words and on the understanding of words are used. In addition to oral, written performances are also checked in order to be able to make a clear diagnosis. Standardized test procedures (e.g. LeMo, Bogenhauser semantic investigation) are available for such investigations.

After creating a neurolinguistic profile of the patient, the appropriate therapy methods can be selected. The profile results from existing and impaired skills that are determined in the test procedure.

When making the diagnosis, the patient's handling of the impairment is also taken into account (e.g. spontaneous use of strategies to compensate for the disorder). Relatives are also often asked questions as part of the diagnosis. After collecting the findings, the doctor informs the patient and relatives about the extent of the impairment and the intended therapy goals.

The success of a treatment always depends on several factors. Here, among other things, the age of the patient also plays a role, because regeneration processes take place much more slowly with increasing age, which is why an early start of therapy is always desirable.

Complications

Common complications of word finding disorder are communication problems and stigma. If the word finding disorder is pronounced, there are often gaps in the dialogue. It is not always possible to paraphrase the word you are looking for or to use a synonym. To make matters worse, the search for synonyms can also be limited in the case of word finding disorders.

The communication problems make it necessary for other people to be considerate and patient during the conversation. Ideally, the person concerned expresses himself about the reactions he would like from people who belong to his close environment. Should the other people say words or should they wait?

Stigma is another social complication of word-finding disorder. The restriction sometimes gives outsiders the impression that the person concerned is not very intelligent or is “just standing in line”. The person concerned may thereby increasingly withdraw. For this reason, it is advantageous if the word finding disorder is known as such, at least to friends and family members.

In some cases, psychological complications such as depression or anxiety disorders (especially social phobia and agoraphobia) are still possible. However, one's own frustration can also turn into aggression. The dissatisfaction with the difficult situation is often directed against individuals who are blamed for the difficult communication.

When should you go to the doctor?

Difficulty finding words is not uncommon after anesthesia, the use of strong medication or severe nervous stress. In connection with a concussion or in old age, people often look for the right word and the right sentence structure. If such a situation exists, relatives should not confront the person concerned with an accusation, but offer help and use the right words. Much more important, however, is to ensure relaxation and peace. Just a few hours of sleep often bring the body and mind back to normal.

However, if the word finding problems persist and are still there the next day, it is advisable to visit an expert. Those affected can obtain an initial diagnosis and further information, especially from internists, neurologists, ophthalmologists or even their family doctor, who can consult comparable cases. Very old people and people with acute psychological problems can find help from gerontologists (gerontologists) or psychologists.

Tip: The situation is usually uncomfortable for those affected. To help him, to create closeness and to relieve him of work and effort in everyday life, is a concrete and quick help that everyone can provide.

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Treatment & Therapy

Word finding disorders can be treated using two methods: the direct and the compensatory method. Orientation for the specific treatment is always based on the neurolinguistic performance pattern that was determined in the patient concerned.

With the direct method, the dysfunction is treated directly. Therapy includes, among other things, exercises in which general terms (e.g. strawberry - fruit) are categorized or meaningful features (e.g. tomato - plant, edible, red) are named.

With the compensatory method, impairments of the verbal form level are improved through exercises (e.g. by initial sounding aids when naming objects or images, specifying the first sound of a word). So-called detour strategies can also have a chance of success with some of those affected. The skills obtained are used to support word finding (e.g. writing the first letter of a word or even writing the entire word).

Speech therapy for the treatment of word finding disorders is generally divided into 3 phases. In the first phase (about 4 to 6 weeks), which is also known as the activation phase, speech stimulation takes place. The second phase (disorder-specific exercise phase) begins with individual therapy and is primarily concerned with disorders of the language system.

The third and last phase (consolidation phase) helps the person affected to make the best possible use of their language skills and is usually carried out as group therapy. The extent of the entire treatment always depends on the patient and his condition.

Outlook & forecast

In many cases, a word finding disorder occurs temporarily and disappears on its own. This is especially the case if the person is tired or ill, or if the patient has taken alcohol and other drugs. This can temporarily lead to a word-finding problem, which usually disappears again after these substances have been broken down.

If the word finding disorder occurs permanently, it can lead to considerable complications and restrictions in everyday life. Children in particular can become victims of bullying and teasing as a result of the disorder and develop psychological complaints or aggressive behavior as a result.

In most cases, a word finding disorder can be treated and treated relatively well, although in rare cases the disorder can only be partially and not completely remedied.

In the event of psychological complaints or traumatic experiences, discussions and therapies with a psychologist can be helpful. If the word-finding disorder occurs due to another illness, the primary illness is treated. If the brain has been damaged, it is usually no longer possible to fully treat the word-finding disorder. A severe disorder leads to a reduced quality of life. Life expectancy is usually not changed by the disorder.

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prevention

Word finding disorders cannot generally be prevented because they are usually the result of other diseases. For this reason, however, it is at least possible to prevent the causal diseases. In particular, the risks of strokes, which are the main cause of word-finding disorders, should be reduced as much as possible (e.g. quitting or reducing smoking, lowering blood pressure, losing weight). In general, even in non-risk groups, the risk of stroke can be reduced through regular exercise such as walking or jogging.

You can do that yourself

Word finding disorders are, to a certain extent, something completely normal. Almost everyone faces this problem. If word finding disorders occur in childhood, this can be due to both developmental disorders and shyness. Communication games can help improve. If that doesn't help, child psychologists or child psychiatrists are called upon.

Older people can also suffer from word-finding disorders as soon as their memory fades. Regular memory training or suitable medication can help here. Stressful situations, trauma or heavy alcohol and drug consumption can also cause word-finding disorders. Depending on the severity and duration of the disorder, a doctor should be consulted.

If word finding disorders occur in everyday language use, there may even be a form of dementia. Bring memory training, crossword puzzles, talk therapy, etc. no improvement, a doctor should be consulted. A neurologist can use test procedures to classify the word finding disorders. Therapies can build on this.

The disorders can also be related to diseases such as dysphasia, aphasia, Alzheimer's, dementia or Parkinson's. Then those affected and their surroundings should not become unrest. Instead, it is helpful to pay attention to fitness, nutrition, and memory training initially. If word finding disorders prove to be serious, the doctor's precise diagnosis must decide on specific steps. These include speech therapy interventions, occupational therapy or targeted memory training.

If word finding disorders are due to head injuries, a team of specialists such as neurologists and speech therapists is required to restore the ability to speak as much as possible.