alogia
Pronunciation: ay-LOH-jee-uh
A negative symptom involving poverty of speech and reduced verbal communication, distinct from inability to speak.
Full Definition
Alogia, also known as poverty of speech, is a negative symptom of schizophrenia characterized by reduced quantity and quality of verbal communication. Unlike aphasia or mutism, alogia represents a diminished drive to communicate rather than an inability to speak. Patients may exhibit brief, concrete responses with little spontaneous speech, reduced fluency, and limited elaboration of ideas. The condition can manifest as poverty of speech content (empty speech with normal quantity) or poverty of speech production (reduced overall verbal output). Alogia significantly impacts social functioning and therapeutic engagement.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from aphasia (language disorder) or mutism (absence of speech) in clinical documentation.
In Context
- "The patient's alogia made clinical interviewing particularly challenging." — Psychiatric assessment note
- "Speech therapy interventions were implemented to address severe alogia." — Multidisciplinary treatment plan