Verbiage: what it is, causes and treatment

It happens that in social events, there are people with a need to be the center of attention through speech, but you perceive thattheir speech does not carry a coherent thread of ideas and thoughts, avoiding being interrupted from the subject to which they believe they have mastery.

It can also happen that when you read an article, its writing containscomplex sentences, little understandable, elaborate words and you fail to understand the message or thecoherence of ideas to reach a conclusion.

In both cases, we may be in the presence of analteration of both oral and written language. This is perceived in the incessant use of words to try to establish some kind of communication. That is, we can be in the presence of a problem called: Verbiage.

Next, in the following article we share more in depth what is related to this disorder that can be annoying and uncomfortable for those who suffer from it.

What is verbiage?

There are different disorders that affect language, speech, communication and thinking such asbradypsychia, bradilaliaandtalkativeness. In this case verbiage, according to Alejandro Rodríguez Puerta, “It isthe characteristic by which some peoplespeak or write using more wordsthan are necessary to convey information.” (1)

Contrary to what may be considered, verbiage makes communication impossible, because in this situation the speaker only expresses his point of view, wanting to have total control over the subject at hand. Generally their audience are people weak in personality, introverted or poor communication.

In general, it is a symptom that prevents proper communication with others and isan indication that we are suffering from a problem at the psychological or neurological level, which must be addressed immediately.

Therefore, the manifestation of this symptom can affect the social life of people, but it does not imply dangerousness neither for the one who expresses it nor to society.

Note: Verbiage is also known as logorrhea (2) or verbosity. (3)

What are the causes of verbiage?

From the organic and psychological point of view, verbiage can occur for the following reasons:

1. Brain injuries

This condition may be associated with a brain lesion located in the Front lobe as well as in the thalamus and in the ascending activating reticular system, giving rise to aphasia in which verbiage may occur, as well as dysarthria .

To highlight: In a study carried out by Nataly Chirinos-Montes and collaborators, verbiage was diagnosed as one of the symptoms of psychological disorder in a patient after suffering a head injury. (4)

2. Psychological disorders

For psychology there are diversities of pathologies that can give rise to Tacypsychia , which is a quantitative disorder of unhealthy acceleration of thought and can manifest itself with verbiage. (5)

In this case, the speaker wants to express orally and at the same speed what his thoughts are creating, so we often do not understand the order of the ideas expressed. It is the typical case when we criticize a person with the expression “Did your tongue disconnect from your brain?”.

To highlight: In an article written by Rebeca García Nieto, about Virginia Woolf, she narrates the experience of this writer during the suffering of her manic depression. (6)

3. Difficulties to express yourself

Contrary to egocentrism, it is shyness that causes anxiety, being able to mask itself in verbiage as a defense mechanism against possible unwanted situations in social gatherings, planning in advance the actions to be taken.

4. Insecurity or lack of self-esteem

Many of these people suffer from verbiage due to the need to compensate for states of insecurity and low self-esteem . They do not allow silence in conversations, so expressing themselves excessively helps them avoid it.

5. Egocentrism

It is the characteristic of people who have little knowledge on the subject and having nothing to support the monologue, they flood the speech with little-used or invented words, trying on the one hand to be the center of attention and on the other to avoid the participation of others. others.

What are the characteristics of verbiage?

This symptom is made up of a Series of characteristics that allow it to be identified, among which are mentioned:

1. Constant need to speak

It is the main characteristic of this symptom, where the people who manifest it usually have a correct prosody and accentuation of the words, but as their speech progresses, it becomes accelerated, impulsive and with little coherence of ideas.

Note: Far-fetched and complex words are used as artillery in their interventions.

2. The speech is accelerated and uninterruptable

Mentioned previously, speech is accelerating because the ideas that are created in the act of thinking occur quickly, without allowing the conscious to discern and order their expression through speech, becoming an incessant and precipitous flow of incomprehensible phrases and words. .

3. Language that is difficult to understand is used

Due to the interest in being the center of attention, the speaker who manifests verbiage uses far- fetched words, neologisms, invents grammatical constructions of sentences without taking into account the rules for it.

To highlight: This is how he avoids the participation of other people in the speech and tries to imply that they have a broad culture, especially in literature.

4. Lack of meaning in the speech

Derived from the above, meaningless speech is the consequence and another characteristic in the manifestation of this symptom. This becomes incoherent, without argumentative support, mysterious, devoid of message and bordering on criticism and mockery for his listeners.

5. The subject is changed quickly

When the reason for the speech is exhausted, the speaker who manifests this symptom tries to keep the attention of his audience and constantly changes the subject, regardless of the interest of his listeners. This situation is typical of self-centered people and sometimes narcissists.

6. It may not be harmful

This point must be addressed from two perspectives for those who suffer from it. From the perspective of thecause that originates this symptom and from the perspective of the consequences that it originates.

From the first, we must consider the causes for which this symptom arises. Verbiage is often the oral manifestation of tachypsychia, caused by psychological disorders such as bipolar disorder, hyperactivity, schizophrenia, anxiety or depression .

You should know: Under this consideration, the damage to the individual who manifests it does not come from verbiage, but from the pathology that causes it, for which Follow-up must be done through medical specialists.

From the second perspective, the consequences caused by verbiage are linked to psychological damage for those who manifest it, since they will have to face possible social rejection due to the very characteristics of the symptom.

However, verbiage as people do not represent a danger to society as long as the pathology that causes it can be controlled.

7. It alters the life of those who suffer from it

Verbiage peopletend to be excluded from society, which disrupts the normal rhythm and daily life in community.

Important: Remember that the pathologies that can give rise to verbiage, do not have a defined appearance in terms of age, sex or ethnicity. Many of them and perhaps the individual has led a normal life until the appearance of that eventuality.

What is the treatment for verbiage?

It must be taken into consideration thatthere is no direct treatment for verbiage but for the pathology that originates it, so the treatments exposed are aimed at treating the disorder.

1. Psychological therapy

Psychological therapy sessions are aimed at promoting behavior changes or behavior modifications , essentially in those traumatic cases, which suddenly change behavior.

To highlight: If the cause of the verbiage is associated with a traumatic process that gave rise to a pathology such as depression or anxiety, this type of treatment may be indicated, but it will be indicated by the specialist doctor.

2. Use of drugs

Drugs are used as a complement to psychological therapies, especially in those cases in which personality disorders lead to affectation of mood, impulsiveness, aggressiveness, cognition, depression or anxiety.

However, there is a risk in using this type of therapy is that some medications can cause dependence. Other medications cause adverse reactions, triggering psychological disorders (7)tag. For example, a study carried out by JC García Palomeque, raises the adverse reaction in the use ofmethylphenidate.

Note: Likewise, in the use of everyday medications, such as antibiotics, they can generate psychological disorders, manifesting among their symptoms, verbiage . This is stated in the study carried out by MP. Sanz de Miguel et al.(9)

3. Surgical intervention

In those cases in which verbiage is associated with neurological damage, it must be previously diagnosed by medical specialists. This therapy is indicated as a last resort and must be associated with comprehensive therapy, including psychological and pharmacological therapy.

In summary, verbiage is not considered a disease, but as an indication, a symptom that some pathology precedes it, so when perceiving a person with verbiage characteristics, individual or collective action should not be the social exclusion of the individual. that manifests it

Important: The recommendation is to try to place ourselves in the situation of the verbiage and feel empathy , and from that perspective see how we can participate in their recovery and insertion into society.

Key Findings

• Verbiage is a characteristic that some people have , when speaking or writing, they use more words than are necessary to convey information.
• Verbiage prevents establishing a correct communication with others and is an indication of suffering from a psychological or neurological problem.
• Verbiage is not considered a disease, but as an indication or symptom that some pathology precedes it, such as anxiety, depression or others.
• Some causes of verbiage can be brain injuries, psychological disorders, difficulties expressing oneself, insecurity or lack of self-esteem, and even self-centeredness.
• It is important to note that a verbiage is not a person who represents a danger to society as long as the pathology that causes this condition can be controlled.