Tangential speech

Tangential speech or tangentiality is a communication disorder in which the train of thought of the speaker wanders and shows a lack of focus, never returning to the initial topic of the conversation. It commonly occurs in situations where an individual experiences high anxiety, as a manifestation of acute psychosis, dementia, or states of delirium. It is less severe than logorrhea and may be associated with the middle stage in dementia. It is, however, more severe than circumstantial speech, in which the speaker wanders but eventually returns to the topic.

Some adults with right hemisphere brain damage exhibit tangential speech. Those who exhibit tangential speech may also have related symptoms, such as seemingly inappropriate, self-centered social responses and deteriorations in conversation capabilities (including maintaining appropriate eye contact and staying on topic).