Pressure of speech
| ICD-10 | R47.8 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 784.5 |
Pressure of speech is a tendency to speak rapidly and frenziedly, as if motivated by an urgency not apparent to the listener. The speech produced, sometimes called pressured speech, is difficult to interrupt.
It may be too fast, or too tangential for the listener to understand. It is an example of cluttered speech. It can be unrelenting, loud and without pauses. (Videbeck 2010)
Psychological causes
Pressure of speech is a hallmark of mania and is often seen during manic periods in patients with bipolar disorder. The pace of the speech indicates an underlying thought disorder known as “flight of ideas” where the information going through the person’s head is so fast that it is difficult to follow their train of thought.[1]
People with schizophrenia, as well as anyone experiencing extreme anxiety, may also exhibit pressure of speech. Pressure of speech usually refers to the improperly verbalized speech which is a feature of hypomanic and manic illness.[2]
Pressure of speech has commonly been observed in people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Stimulants
Psychostimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, etc. may cause "pressured speech" in individuals with pre-existing psychopathology and produce hypomanic or manic symptoms in general.
Related conditions
- Cluttering is a speech disorder that is related to pressure of speech in that the speech of a clutterer sounds improperly verbalized, but cluttering is a distinct language disorder, whereas pressure of speech is a symptom of mania, anxiety, or schizophrenia. Even though cluttering sounds almost identical to pressure of speech, it differs in that pressure of speech is rooted in anxiety, where cluttering is not.
- Pressure of speech is an instance of tachylalia, or rapid speech. Pressure of speech is also variously related to agitolalia, agitophasia, tachyphasia, and verbomania.
- Circumstantial speech is a communication disorder in which the focus of a conversation drifts, but often comes back to the point.[3] In circumstantiality, unnecessary details and irrelevant remarks cause a delay in getting to the point.[4]
Stutter formation
Pressured speech may also lead to the development of a stutter. The person's need or pressure to speak causes them to involuntarily stutter. Therefore the person's need to express themselves is greater than their ability to vocalise their thoughts.[5]
See also
References
- ↑ Lesley Stevens; Ian Rodin (23 April 2001). Psychiatry: an illustrated colour text. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 24–. ISBN 978-0-443-05703-8. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ↑ Pressure of Speech - General Practice Notebook
- ↑ Problem-Based Psychiatry by Ben Green 2009 ISBN 1-84619-042-8 page 15
- ↑ "Merck Source Library". Dorland's Medical Dictionary found on Merck Source's website. 2002-2009. Retrieved June 1, 2010.
- ↑ Einer Boberg (1 January 1993). Neuropsychology of stuttering. University of Alberta. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-88864-239-4. Retrieved 13 December 2010.
External links
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