Loss of Vocabulary?

[Chem Lady]

When I got PTSD, I was 28 years old. It was delayed onset. But, since I had been alive in a non-PTSD body for 28 years I could really tell what was different for me before and after PTSD. One thing that I noticed very quickly was that I “lost my words”. That’s how I’d put it, anyway. But I didn’t really lose my words. They’re all still stuck in my brain. If I hear or read any words I knew pre-PTSD I know their definition and understand how they are being used. However, when I am speaking I feel like my brain has a plan of what will be said and suddenly I’ll come to a word and it will get lost in my brain. I just can’t find it in there. I know it’s there, I know what meaning I’m looking for but the word just won’t go from my brain to my mouth. It just gets lost. I believe the word “aphasia” may apply here. I’m just wondering if anyone else has noticed any vocabulary troubles since developing PTSD.

 

[Innordinate]

When my symptoms are peaked, running rampant etc., like they are now- yes. Words that i used to use frequently are gone, (like i can see my words scrolling through my head when i talk or type but when i go to use certain words they just disappear even though they were there .5seconds ago- if that makes sense) spelling common words, gone. I have to google a lot of definitions to get the right word and re-read my posts because I also completely miss typing half the words of a sentence.
My entire memory storage and recall process goes to shit also, and reading comprehension takes a dive. Like my IQ drops about 60 points.

 

[Friday]

Yep. It comes in a few differnt phases for me.

There’s words themselves (and sometimes talking around them helps, like describing what I’m trying to say that the word would do for me very easily) but other times once I start stammering and missing words I just have to go to bed or get hit with a pseudo-migraine; then the ability to speak (but I can think just fine) this is beyond the stammering but a kind of lock jaw ain’t happening no matter how much I want to; then I can’t even think. It’s like there’s a huge featureless wall I’m banging my fists against.

 

[Teamwork]

This is true of me as well. Mid sentence pause, find myself staring off as if trying to find it, but I’m not visual so I don’t see anything , just feel as if it all fell apart. I can describe the word but mostly it comes as, you know or the thing or some sort of trail off. Sometimes I cant even get back on track.

 

[whiteraven]

My aphasia, which has been severe at times, was traced back to two meds I was taking. Since stopping them, I don't have trouble finding words at all.

 

[grit]

This is interesting post.

I realised recently, I have been acting out in therapy! I am also noticing now...I was acting out BECAUSE I did not have the capacity to put my trauma in words. Rather than talking and stating my feelings, I resorted to demonstrate as if I am still 2 yrs old.

Language is the vehicle for healing as an adult and now just now after a year and bit of therapy, I am realizing I need to put my feelings into words rather than acting them out!

that is how trauma robs us our humanity!

Thank you for posting this.