Lethologica is a temporary condition causing forgetfulness of key words, phrases, and names due to psychological and neurological factors. There is no cure, but coping skills can be developed. Stress and exercise can trigger attacks, and secondary symptoms may occur. The temporal lobe is involved, and alternative communication systems may be helpful. Friends and family should ask how to accommodate the patient.
Lethologica is a condition in which someone cannot remember key words, phrases, and names. This results in an inability to express or articulate thoughts, which can be extremely frustrating for the patient. This condition is thought to be psychological in origin, although there is some evidence that there is also a neurological component. There are no treatments, although some patients can develop coping skills that help them manage their memory loss.
The main feature of this condition is that it is temporary. The patient has not forgotten information forever, instead experiencing momentary forgetfulness and confusion that makes it difficult to speak or convey key information. The duration of temporary memory loss may vary by patient and environment. Lethologica attacks appear to be caused by stress, including stress from being in a tense social situation, as well as strenuous exercise.
Some people may experience secondary symptoms in addition to the lethological ones. While trying to remember the thing they can’t remember, they may lip smack or make other mouth movements. Similarly, some patients have difficulty swallowing. Different triggers can lead to a forgetfulness spell, depending on the patient.
The temporal lobe is the area of the brain that appears to be involved in lethological activity. Responding to stress is a psychological aspect; responding to exercise, however, is physiological, suggesting that multiple systems may be at play. Some patients also experience neurological disorders, such as in the cranial nerves.
For many patients, forgetting words for a few moments is not a major concern, especially if friends and family are aware and know to be patient while waiting. In other cases, patients may want to develop alternative communication systems so they can express their thoughts even when they lack the specific words they need. Some people with conditions that can inhibit expression find it helpful to carry cards that they can hand to people to quickly familiarize themselves with the problem.
Friends and family of someone with lethologica may want to ask how she or he wants to be accommodated. For example, some people may be receptive if they try to complete sentences or find the word they are looking for. Other people may prefer to be able to find the word on their own, without assistance, and to be able to signal when they need help.
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