Information About Aphasia Here is one way to think about it. Did you ever meet an acquaintance - you recognize her face - but you can't remember her name? You know her. You are happy to see her. You greet her with enthusiasm. But her name just doesn't come to you. Later on her name suddenly comes to you. People with aphasia have a similar problem, but it is much more severe. It happens every time they try to talk, not just once in a while.
Aphasia is the problem that a person has speaking after a stroke or head injury. Some people with aphasia also have trouble understanding what other people are saying. Aphasia means that someone who used to be able to communicate now has problems. People with aphasia know what they want to say, but they have trouble saying it. They know who you are, even if they cannot say your name. They still remember the past, even if they cannot tell a story. They know what they want, even if they cannot tell you.
We all take language for granted. It is hard to imagine life without it.
Here is one way to think about it. Did you ever meet an acquaintance - you recognize her face - but you can't remember her name? You know her. You are happy to see her. You greet her with enthusiasm. But her name just doesn't come to you. Later on her name suddenly comes to you. People with aphasia have a similar problem, but it is much more severe. It happens every time they try to talk, not just once in a while. Here is another way to think about it. Did you ever go to a foreign country where you don't speak the language? You can tell when people are friendly and polite, or when they are rude and stand-offish, but you can't understand what they are saying, and they cannot understand you when you try to talk to them. You can't read the signs. And if you wrote a note, they wouldn't be able to understand what you wrote. People with aphasia can have the same trouble in their own native language that you might have with a foreign language. Aphasia has many forms:
- The mildest form is anomia, difficulty thinking of words.
- The most severe form is global aphasia, almost total inability to understand or say words.
- Most people are somewhere in between.
- Some people with aphasia can say words, but have trouble making sentences.
- Some people with aphasia have trouble reading or writing, others do not.
- Other people with aphasia can speak fluent sentences, but they say the wrong words or nonsense words.
The ability to communicate can vary from day to day. We all have times when we can speak more easily, and other times when we have difficulty speaking. People with aphasia have the same ups and downs. Some people with aphasia are very aware of their difficulties.
Other people with aphasia are not so aware of when there is a breakdown in communication.
No matter what the aphasia is like, it is very frustrating for everyone involved. People with aphasia want you to talk to them, even if they cannot answer. They know what is going on. They like to be with others, even if they can't speak. They don't want to be ignored.
People with aphasia say that the worst part is rejection from other people who do not understand what aphasia is. Since the public is not familiar with aphasia, people often assume that a person with aphasia is crazy, retarded or drunk. Even friends may feel uncomfortable talking with a person with aphasia, and may avoid that person. Even health professionals may may think that because they cannot talk, people with aphasia cannot understand. It takes constant effort to educate others and advocate for oneself.