Do you ever struggle to find the right words in conversation? It’s like the word is on the tip of your tongue but you can’t find it? You’re not alone. Self-reported word–finding difficulties are among the most frequent complaints in cognitively normal older adults. Although people of all ages will experience word finding problems at times, this type of issue becomes more frequent as we age. For some, it may lead to a negative self-appraisal and a tendency to withdraw from social settings or interactions. If you or your loved ones notice that this seems to be a real challenge for you or appears to be happening quite often, it may be good idea to look more into this. There are many reasons someone can be experiencing this issue, including cognitive and neurological factors. Therefore, identifying the cause is the first step toward clarity.
Some of the symptoms people can experience are:
- Difficulties finding the right word
- Describing rather than naming a thing or concept
- Feeling that you are not speaking fluently or clearly, or that you are fumbling through your words
- Using a lot of pauses when speaking and words such as ‘hum’ and ‘thing’
At Oakland Neuropsychology Center, we specialize in comprehensive neuropsychological assessments to determine if you are truly struggling with word finding more than would be expected and if you are, what’s impacting your ability to retrieve words. Neuropsychological testing examines a person’s thinking skills, including their ability to express themselves adequately as well as comprehend what they hear and read. Our evaluations include:
✅ Detailed cognitive and language testing
✅ Insights into underlying causes, including:
- Normal aging-related changes
- Mild cognitive impairment or early dementia
- Neurological conditions like stroke or brain injury
- Attention and processing speed difficulties
- Language-related disorders such as aphasia
Our goal is to help you understand your cognitive profile, offering clarity on what’s affecting your communication and what steps may be most beneficial. If you are experiencing sudden word finding issues, contact your primary care physician first. If these issues seem to be ongoing or to be worsening over time, you might want to consider a neuropsychological evaluation. This will provide you with the peace of mind you need and explain what types of resources or treatments would be best indicated to help you reach your full potential.
