Posted by Deus_Abscondis on September 5, 2007, at 5:59:08
In reply to Verbal recall, posted by Jamal Spelling on August 28, 2007, at 13:48:23
Jamal,
I'm not sure that what you meant to mean by using the term 'verbal recall' is what you were trying to get at, but I do understand.
Verbal recall is used in the context of short term/working memory testing. Connecting words to thoughts is another matter. From the symptoms you refer to it sounds like a mild expressive anomic-like aphasia of secondary origin (which could include memory issues and anxiety) but I suspect it isn't so exotic and a simpler explanation would fit. Without more significant symptoms or resolution with further thought or therapy I wouldn't be chasing neurological/medication based explanations.
It's all a bit tricky to disentangle, there can be more than one thing happening at a time. You can't take anything for granted and ones subjective appraisal isn't the best of guides. Only a battery of tests and a skilled interpreter could identify a mild language processing issue, but I think it isn't one. from what you have said. It sounds more like context based performance anxiety to me. The fact that the machinery works when you are comfortable is an indicator.
Anxiety can impact on a whole range of cognitive functions and there's lots of cognitive models. If you have a busy mind, alternative ways of expressing what you want to say may interfere or block. If what you want to say is complicated and you are a wordsmith you might also get a block. If you fear being misunderstood or are self conscious this can also block. Fear of offending the other person - showing your discomfort etc
I know a lot of guys will recognise this and laugh, but talking to an attractive woman whom you would like to have, um, an interest in can cause a block. Of course the reverse is true also.
What is it about the people you feel uncomfortable with and what is it about you? Are they people in authority etc?
However, you say that you _know_ what it is you want to say. Are you thinking in words - basic words? How do you _know_ what it is that you want to say - are the visual clues, connected emotions, attrubutes? Do you give yourself time to rehearse and sit with what you want to try and say or are we talking about talking fast on ones feet? Do the right words not come at all or do you feel dissatisfied with the ones you choose? Do you have similar problems writing or is it only verbal? Are you bilingual/polylingual, is English your first language?
There's that odd thing - you know you knew something or thought you knew but when it comes to perform you find out you don't know it as well as you thought you ought to or be able to recall it in as timely a manner or perhaps you never really knew it in the first place? You become aware of voids. You may recall the word but not be confident about the meaning, have a meaning that you thought connected to a word but are unsure about the word etc.
I'm not at all confident that I 'know' something until I have expressed it. If I think I know something and can't express it, not even a 'first pass approximation', it is an indication that I am confused or that it is a subtle or complicated thing that I am trying to express or even that I am trying to be creative in turning ideas into words.
I also know I can get rusty if I don't practice, including looking up words in the dictionary/thesaurus to check meaning. I can also get socially rusty by avoiding situations. One tip is to start simply and if needed elaborate bit by bit.
There's also the perception of ones fluency and the accuracy of this. I feel like I was more fluent in my younger days, I certainly talked faster and was, lets say errr 'self satisfied' but I don't think I would like to hear myself played back ;-)
Some basic things to consider - does it happen more when you are tired or fatigued? Have you changed your activity levels? Do you use any recreational substances? Do you have a good diet?
Yes it's a long response. I've got some time on my hands and I'm practicing thinking and writing :-)
Cheers
D
poster:Deus_Abscondis
thread:779334
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070831/msgs/780921.html