About aphasia

Aphasia constitutes a daily challenge for people who suffer from it. These people often feel frustrated because they can no longer express their needs, their desires and/or understand the world in the same way as before.

What are the symptoms and causes of aphasia?

Aphasia is a communication disorder that can impact the ability to say or understand words, as well as the ability to read and write.

Aphasia therefore causes difficulties that make communication with those around you difficult. Faced with these difficulties, people with aphasia may tend to communicate less and therefore isolate themselves socially.

Aphasia is often caused by a brain injury such as a stroke. It can also occur following a so-called acquired disorder such as craniocerebral trauma or a brain tumor. Aphasia can finally manifest itself following neurocognitive disorders, as with primary progressive aphasia.

Daily aphasia: or living in a country where you don't master the language

An image sometimes comes up to try to explain what an aphasic person can feel. Imagine living in a foreign country where you don't know the language. This language barrier would hinder your ability to read, write and speak. It would also cause frequent misunderstandings in your daily interactions and significantly affect your social life.

To fully understand the frustration felt, it is finally important to note that the intelligence of people with aphasia remains intact.

What are the different types of aphasia

There are several types of aphasia whose manifestations vary. Here are the main forms observed, as well as their main characteristics.

Footnotes : it is important to note that the classification of aphasias proposed below is regularly discussed. This list is provided for information purposes only to give you some guidelines.

Extreme difficulty of expression and comprehension. Inability to read or write

Marked difficulties in oral expression (limited, slow speech and difficulty finding words). Understanding of spoken and written language preserved

Reduced oral expression, similar to Broca's aphasia. Difficulties understanding spoken and written language

Ability to express oneself, but often incoherent speech (words and sentences not easily understood). Major difficulties in understanding spoken and written language

Grammatically correct expression but persistent difficulty finding words orally and in writing. Comprehension of spoken and written language generally preserved

Gradual course of symptoms, initially manifested by loss of words and language. Other symptoms may develop later, such as memory loss

There are other forms of aphasia whose symptoms do not correspond exactly to the main forms we have just identified. For example, certain symptoms can appear in isolation. Severe calculation deficits are, for example, often associated with aphasia, but in some cases patients retain excellent calculation skills despite their language loss.