aphasia
Pronunciation: uh-FAY-zhuh
Language disorder affecting ability to produce or comprehend speech, commonly seen in geriatric patients with stroke or dementia.
Full Definition
Aphasia is a language disorder that impairs the production or comprehension of speech and the ability to read or write. In geriatric psychiatry, aphasia is frequently encountered in patients with vascular dementia, post-stroke conditions, or primary progressive aphasia variants of frontotemporal dementia. The condition significantly impacts communication during psychiatric assessments and requires modified evaluation approaches. Understanding the type and severity of aphasia is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in elderly patients.
Usage
Usage note: Specify type (expressive, receptive, or global) when documenting aphasia in geriatric psychiatric patients.
In Context
- "The patient's expressive aphasia limited her ability to communicate distress during the psychiatric evaluation." — Clinical assessment report
- "Differentiating between depression-related mutism and aphasia required careful neuropsychological testing." — Diagnostic evaluation