Alogia is a common symptom of schizophrenia and other conditions that manifests as a reduction of speech output or content. In other words, you may have difficulty turning your thoughts into words and expressing yourself.

Alogia, or poverty of speech, means you may have trouble speaking in general or conveying a message or idea when you speak.

For example, you may give quick and short answers to questions that merit a longer explanation. You may also feel you can’t find the words you need to express an idea or speak at great lengths but not say much when it comes to the content of your speech.

Alogia is not a personal choice, and it’s not something you can manage at will. It’s a common symptom of different physical and mental health conditions.

What alogia is not

People with alogia may appear quiet, disoriented, or curt. But alogia doesn’t mean they are:

  • shy
  • quiet or timid
  • asocial
  • indifferent
  • rude
  • not intelligent

The symptom means the brain regions associated with speech are compromised, which affects the ability to process thoughts into words.

Alogia is usually associated with a mental health disorder, especially schizophrenia. Medical professionals call it a “negative symptom” because it’s a loss of or decrease in a specific function. In this case, alogia is a loss in your ability to express yourself in a verbal way.

Other than schizophrenia, alogia can be a symptom of:

The exact cause of alogia hasn’t been established, but experts suspect the following may play a role:

  • dysfunctions in the frontal lobe of the brain, where speech is organized
  • imbalances in dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in motivation and thought processing, which could also impact your ability to communicate (by disrupting communication between brain regions)
  • cognitive impairments that make it difficult to turn thoughts into words

Alogia is not a temporary symptom or occasional trouble communicating your thoughts. A doctor will probably first look for long-standing patterns of communication challenges:

  • Are you persistently having trouble answering basic questions?
  • Are you continuously pausing or at a loss for words when trying to talk?
  • Are you having trouble following conversations?
  • Are these symptoms evident across multiple situations?

Other symptoms of alogia may include patterns of:

  • giving long answers that don’t match the question or that don’t convey a clear message
  • answering with monosyllables or with only a couple of words
  • a flat tone of voice

Because alogia is a symptom and not a condition, a healthcare professional may want to explore a diagnosis first, including the possibility of a brain injury after an accident.

For example, if they suspect speech symptoms may be associated with schizophrenia, they may look for these other symptoms of this condition:

Alogia may improve with treatment, depending on the condition causing it.

  • Treatment for schizophrenia may involve antipsychotic medications and psychotherapy.
  • Depending on the severity, depression treatment may include talk therapy and antidepressants.
  • Brain injuries may have different treatment approaches depending on the extent of damage and other individual needs.
  • Dementia is a progressive disease without a cure and may require ongoing support. It’s not likely that alogia improves in this case.

Most conditions associated with alogia respond well to treatment but may require lifelong or long-term care.

Alogia is a symptom that manifests as having little to say or not being able to express a clear idea even when using many words. In general, it’s difficult to express yourself in the form of giving short answers, not finding the right words, or staying quiet even when prompted to talk.

Alogia does not mean you’re not intelligent or interested. It’s not a personal choice but instead a symptom of different conditions, including schizophrenia, dementia, brain injuries, and severe depression, among others.

Alogia may improve with treatment, depending on its cause. A healthcare professional may help provide an accurate diagnosis and the next steps in managing this symptom.