6. Fatigue – An Often Overlooked Manifestation of Expressive Aphasia
In conversations about Expressive Aphasia, we often focus on the language deficits – difficulties with speech, writing, and sometimes reading. However, a significant symptom that often slips under the radar is fatigue. While fatigue may not seem directly related to communication, it is a crucial factor influencing the extent of aphasia symptoms and their management.
Fatigue in individuals with Expressive Aphasia can stem from multiple sources. Firstly, the brain damage causing the aphasia often results in generalized fatigue. The brain uses a lot of energy, and when it is healing, it may require even more, leaving less energy for other activities.
Secondly, the mental effort associated with trying to communicate can be exhausting. Having to think about every word and sentence structure, finding ways around missing words, and dealing with the frustration of communication breakdowns can all contribute to fatigue.
The fatigue experienced by those with Expressive Aphasia is often both physical and mental. They may tire quickly during conversations, especially long or complex ones.
This fatigue may cause their aphasia symptoms to seem worse, as it becomes even more challenging to find words or construct sentences when tired. Furthermore, fatigue can have a broad impact on a person’s life, affecting their mood, cognitive function, and overall quality of life.
Consider a social gathering where a person with Expressive Aphasia is trying to participate in conversations. The continual effort to keep up with the pace of dialogue, formulate responses, correct errors, and manage the frustration when communication fails, can be draining.
As fatigue sets in, their speech might become less fluent, their word retrieval might worsen, and they may struggle more with sentence construction. As a result, they might withdraw from the conversation, further impacting their social interactions and emotional well-being.
But fatigue management strategies can help. Structuring the day so that important conversations or tasks are conducted when the person is most alert, taking regular rest breaks, ensuring adequate sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet can all contribute to better energy management. This way, the fatigue associated with Expressive Aphasia can be better managed, improving the individual’s communication capacity and overall quality of life. (6)
