Bipolar disorder causes many symptoms, including grandiosity, racing thoughts, thoughtlessness and behavior problems. While many of these symptoms are expected, a few can fly under the radar. Pressured speech is one of the most problematic symptoms of bipolar disorder, because it affects not only the patient, but also those around her.
When pressured speech occurs, someone with bipolar disorder speaks at such a rapid pace that others cannot understand her. This symptom occurs during manic periods, and it can prevent clear communication.
Signs of Pressured Speech
Symptoms of pressured speech include the following problems:
- Urgency – A bipolar person might suddenly feel the need to speak his thoughts quickly, as whatever he is about to say holds great importance to him. This urgency can cause rapid delivery of words, making it unclear what he is trying to say.
- Racing thoughts – Instead of maintaining a clear thought process during communication, someone with bipolar disorder may put more than one thought together, making her ideas jumbled to a point of confusion
- Word play – It is common for someone with bipolar disorder to play with her words, making rhymes and jokes as she speaks
These symptoms may indicate pressured speech, so get help today if you recognize these problems.
The Impact of Pressured Speech
As pressured speech often accompanies bipolar disorder, it is important to learn how it impacts the
lives of those around the patient. Pressured speech affects bipolar patients in any of the following locations:
- Work – Having pressured speech can make a bipolar person step out of line in the workplace. This can include talking over the boss, bursting out in conversation during meetings and other inappropriate behavior. It can also disturb coworkers, making them less likely to enjoy work.
- Home – Whether it is a child, spouse or parent with pressured speech, these outbursts can disrupt those living in the same area, as erratic behavior can be a turn off. It can be difficult to understand a loved one with pressured speech, thereby lessening communication.
- School – Having pressured speech can disturb a classroom as patients may divert attention from the teacher and put it on themselves. It can also distract the bipolar student, as he can only focus on the urgency of what he must say.
Having pressured speech is a common part of bipolar disorder. Even though it can be extremely disruptive and can push others away, there are ways to manage this issue. Through proper treatment for bipolar disorder and corrective medication, patients can learn to control pressured speech.