Aphasia and Its Psychological Impact

A wooden brain puzzle representing the complexity of aphasia and its psychological impact (tCaPC).

Have you ever had a constant twitch in one of your eyes that you can not control? Although some may interpret the twitching as the beginning of something good, Aphasia is different. It is a complex language disorder that portrays itself suddenly and without warning, whether you are at home or speaking in front of a business audience. It is a result of a brain injury, stroke, or a probable neurological condition that affects a person's ability to speak, read, or write. While everyone sympathizes with the physical symptoms of this disorder, we tend to ignore or overlook what the possessing nature of this disorder can do to the mental health of a person.

When a person dealing with aphasia understands that they no longer have full control of their body, it can affect their mental well-being, leading to depression, anxiety, fear of being around other people, frustration, and even suicidal thoughts. We may not be able to do anything about the physical symptoms of any of our loved ones suffering from aphasia. Still, we can let them feel our support by understanding their psychological struggles. 

What is Aphasia? 

Aphasia is the outcome of significant damage to the brain's language center, normally in the left hemisphere. Imagine a person speaking to you like any other person, and then the next moment, there is a glitch. They are either not speaking anymore or they can not make audible and correct sentences. Aphasia is caused by:

Significant brain injury: Any significant damage to the brain can cause Aphasia, whether it's from blunt force trauma or injuries with sharp objects.

Stroke: Being the most common cause of Aphasia, stroke survivors represent the major population of people suffering from the condition.

Degenerative neurological disorder: People suffering from Alzheimer's and probably dementia can get Aphasia as a worsening result.

A speech therapist working with an elderly woman affected by aphasia due to a degenerative neurological disorder, such as Alzheimer's or dementia (tCaPC).

Brain Tumors: Only tumors in or around the language center of the brain can cause Aphasia.

Forms of Aphasia 

Aphasia can come in different forms, considering the part of the brain that has been affected by any external cankerworm or the other.

●   Wernicke Aphasia: This form of Aphasia is characterized by poor compression and sudden jargon. Imagine when a person is trying to answer a question and you can't make out what they are saying or see how it relates to the question.

●   Broca’s Aphasia: In the form of Aphasia, the person may be able to comprehend whatever is asked, but would not be able to translate very well or form complete sentences.

●   Global Aphasia: Here the patient can almost not speak or comprehend anything at all.

Psychological Effects Of Aphasia

Anxiety and Depression: When people struggling with Aphasia encounter other people who find them weird because of their condition, they tend to get depressed. It starts with anxiety, led by the fear of going out or meeting other people because all they can think about is how other people would react when they suddenly have one of several episodes. The fear of not being understood, the stress of trying to communicate, and not having any possible friends are reasons enough to self-isolate. Finally, when they have accumulated frustration, anxiety, and the feeling of hopelessness, they don't see any way out. They become severely depressed and just want to stay away from everyone all day.

Anger and frustration: There is nothing that causes more pain to a person than something they can not control. Many people with Aphasia struggle with communication, not because they don't want to, but because they can't. Frustration and anger start building up when they can communicate with their loved ones, or comprehend enough to help out in cases of emergency. These individuals may become angry or short-tempered, particularly when others fail to understand them, or they need to keep repeating themselves. In summary, the feeling of helplessness protrudes anger at the world and, more significantly, at themselves.

Low Self-Esteem: Other people's reactions to their communication struggle may leave individuals struggling with Aphasia feeling like they don't belong. Language is a huge part of our identity. People know you from what you say, consciously or unconsciously from what you do. Communication also directs s person to what gratification of the society they belong. Therefore, a lack of communication can leave Aphasia patients feeling lost and alone.

Strategies For Emotional And Psychological Support

Speech and communication therapy: Why there may be little to nothing anyone can do about the physical symptoms of Aphasia, it's nice to know that there might still be a way to communicate without getting frustrated. This is where speech therapy comes in. An expert therapist can help individuals with Aphasia regain certain communication skills or even develop new and easier ones. Communication aids can also propel communication therapy. The advancement of technology has made that possible. These tools, ranging from simple picture boards to sophisticated speech-generating devices, can improve the quality of life of an individual.

Counselling: Although the physical symptoms of Aphasia are important, the psychological toll on the patients is brutal. With the high rate of depression and suicidal thoughts, individuals suffering from aphasia need to know that it's not the end of the world. So, regular counseling can be inculcated in their routine to help improve their daily lives. Regular psychotherapy can also give them a good space to rent and deal with negative thoughts.

Support group members discussing their experiences with aphasia, offering emotional and psychological support (tCaPC).

Support Groups: Friends and family offer the greatest support needed by individuals struggling with Aphasia. Nothing beats knowing that the people you love are there to support you, even when it's not convenient for them. Individuals who are suffering from aphasia can also help each other with their experiences as they all have a glimpse of what another is going through.

Conclusion

Apart from the striking physical symptoms, Aphasia can hurt the psychological health of its patients. The anger, frustration, depression, and low self-esteem can lead to something much more fatal. So, if you are around anyone suffering from aphasia, try to prevent them from feeling lost and hopeless as much as you can. Help them with their speech therapy and let them know that they are not alone.