thought block
Last reviewed 01/2018
Thought block is an abrupt and complete interruption in the stream of thought, strongly suggestive of schizophrenia.
It is not the symptom experienced by most people when they suddenly lose their train of thought. Instead it will be described by the patient as a profound sudden blankness of the mind.
It is very important to be clear as to exactly what is going on if there is a mid-sentence pause in a conversation with a patient, since this symptom is highly diagnostic.