Which symptom is characterized by derailment and tangentiality in speech?

Which symptom is characterized by derailment and tangentiality in speech?

• A. Disorganized Thinking (Speech)
• B. Grossly Disorganized or Abnormal Motor Behavior (Catatonia)
• C. Auditory Hallucinations
• D. Negativism

Answer: (A)

Derailment and tangentiality reflect disorganized thinking in speech. When thoughts are disorganized, the speaker may rapidly jump from one topic to another (derailment), or respond in ways that are off-topic and do not address the question or point at hand (tangentiality). This breakdown in the logical flow of thought is a hallmark of a formal thought disorder and is often labeled as disorganized thinking when describing psychotic symptoms. Other options describe different phenomena: auditory hallucinations are hearing things that aren’t there; grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (catatonia) involves motor symptoms rather than speech organization; negativism refers to resistance or oppositional behavior. Thus, the symptom described—speech that is tangential and derailled—fits disorganized thinking in speech.

Derailment and tangentiality reflect disorganized thinking in speech. When thoughts are disorganized, the speaker may rapidly jump from one topic to another (derailment), or respond in ways that are off-topic and do not address the question or point at hand (tangentiality). This breakdown in the logical flow of thought is a hallmark of a formal thought disorder and is often labeled as disorganized thinking when describing psychotic symptoms.

Other options describe different phenomena: auditory hallucinations are hearing things that aren’t there; grossly disorganized or abnormal motor behavior (catatonia) involves motor symptoms rather than speech organization; negativism refers to resistance or oppositional behavior. Thus, the symptom described—speech that is tangential and derailled—fits disorganized thinking in speech.