| Abstract [eng] |
Thought Disorder, defined as disorganization of thinking, language, and communication, is a marker for psychosis or mental illness severity, and can be observed in different mental states. Studies have focused on cognitive factors associated with Thought Disorder, although subjective experience of emotional states, which can significantly affect information processing, has not gained proper attention. Changes in thinking, cognition, and emotional components can reveal an integrated image of a person's functioning related to pathology, which requires the study of both objective and subjective experience while maintaining the dimensional approach emphasized in modern classifications. This study investigates Thought Disorder symptoms’ relations with cognitive functioning and emotional states in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and depression. The results confirm that Thought Disorder is a dimensional construct that manifests itself along the continuum, and its symptoms are observed both in all psychiatric groups and in a healthy population sample, although the severity of symptoms differs. Thought Disorder is related with difficulties in executive functioning and semantic processing, and slower information processing speed. Thought disorder symptoms in different groups are related to different cognitive and emotional factors. Based on the results of cognitive functioning and emotions, schizoaffective disorder could even be considered as an intermediate link between schizophrenia with depression. Thus, successful thinking is not only a rational process, but also a harmonious cooperation of cognitive and emotional processes, and the improvement of these areas should be the main goal of interventions. |
