Problems with speech - is this normal?

[WelshRambler]

Hey all,

I’ve got an issue that I’m finding increasingly frustrating.

Lately I either can’t seem to recall words or even spell basic words correctly. I also get words mixed up eg earlier today I said “sleeve” instead of “arm” and “sit” instead of “chair”. I even forgot how to spell “bye” as in goodbye. I spent a good minute trying to work it out before settling on “by” and then a couple of minutes later realising I spelled it wrong.

Sometimes I just have total mental blocks and the words that come out of my mouth are pretty incoherent. It’s really embarrassing at work.

At first I just put it down to tiredness but this has been happening for about six months now.

I used to be fairly articulate and could write well. Had a stint as a journalist and think tanker before switching careers. Did well at GCSEs, A-levels and uni etc.

I’m 27. I don’t think this level of cognitive decline seems normal?

All thoughts appreciated. Thank you!

Maybe not, could it be that it occurred randomly in the beginning, then you focused on it and developed anxiety over it, which may be causing it to happen more perhaps?
If not, voice your concerns to your GP.

It could be speech functional disorder. You need to see your GP.

You need to see your GP.

I think this is worrying Definitely talk to your GP, give examples like the ones above.

I was going to ask if you have a fever, shortness of breath or have had a bump to the head. But six months is a long time. Find out what's up!

I’m (much) older and it happens to me frequently, especially replacing words with something similar or related to what I’m trying to say. Thank god I mostly talk to myself 😄

Could you be suffering stress or over tired ?

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/aphasia/symptoms/

I have this!! Had it for 4 years seems to come and go- really bad some days others not so much. Mentioned it casually to GP once he asked me what I did for a job (iaccount manager then so he seemed to think if I was managing job ok don't worry ? but now a SAHM since dec 2021). My main symptoms are word finding and mixing up words. Example : please put that on the fridge ... I mean table.
It's embarrassing and I'm very aware of it. I do sometimes forget things but I don't think excessively more than others. And I can get confused in conversation occasionally however, I do suffer from anxiety and OCD so wonder if it's due to that.. well I'm hoping it is tbh I haven't mentioned it to GP since as worry a bit they might be concerned. However I don't seem to have any other symptoms and in my mid forties so hoping it's a mixture of maybe anxiety and coming towards peri menopause perhaps??

I have ADHD and have always had word finding difficulties (as you describe) which have got much worse as I've got older, especially since menopause. However as this seems sudden, been going on for 6 months is progressing and is not typical for you, you really need to see a GP. I would make sure you make all this very clear to the GP. If you think you will struggle to expkain your symptoms fully and clearly in the appointment, write it all down (I always do this, they do not mind at all). You are too young for it to be age elated.

On the off chance someone comes across this with similar issues, I had bloods taken which showed I was severely anaemic. I’ve had B12 infusions and have been prescribed supplements. Do speak to your doctor if you are worried!

Saw this for the first time tonight and my first thought was B12
Hopefully easily sorted