Mõttehäireid

Mõttehäireid, also known as thought disorders, are a symptom cluster often associated with severe mental illnesses, most notably schizophrenia. They describe disruptions in the process of thinking and the expression of thoughts. These disorders do not refer to a specific illness but rather to a category of cognitive and communicative impairments.

Common forms of mõttehäireid include formal thought disorder, which refers to disturbances in the form or structure of thinking and speech, and disorders of thought content, which involve abnormal beliefs or preoccupations. Formal thought disorder can manifest in various ways, such as illogical connections between ideas (derailment or loose associations), speaking in a jumbled or incomprehensible manner (incoherence or word salad), or a significant decrease in speech output (poverty of speech). Other manifestations might include tangentiality, where responses are irrelevant to the question asked, or perseveration, where a person repeats words or ideas.

Disorders of thought content are characterized by beliefs that are not in accordance with reality. Delusions, which are fixed, false beliefs held despite evidence to the contrary, are a prime example. These can range from persecutory delusions (believing one is being harmed) to grandiose delusions (believing one has exceptional abilities).

The presence and severity of mõttehäireid can vary significantly among individuals and can fluctuate over time. Their assessment is a crucial part of psychiatric diagnosis, guiding treatment strategies. While often linked to schizophrenia, thought disorders can also occur in other conditions like bipolar disorder, severe depression, or due to substance use. Understanding these disruptions is key to effective clinical intervention and support for affected individuals.