Clanging involves stringing rhyming words together. Sentences sound catchy but may not make sense. It can be a symptom of schizophrenia.
An example of clanging, also known as clang association, is, “I tied the rope soap the slope nope.”
Clanging involves putting words together in sentences based on their sound instead of what they mean. It typically results in incoherent or disorganized speech.
Clanging is often the result of a thought disorder. These involve disorganized thinking and an inability to process thoughts and communicate effectively.
The words used in clanging might include:
- rhyming words
- homonyms or homophones
- words with the same or similar syllables (e.g., embalm and balm)
- alliteration (repetition of words that start with the same letter)
Clanging doesn’t involve intentional wordplay. Some poetry and lyrical styles, such as those influenced by Dadaism, might seem like clanging: Nonsensical sounds and words are often strung together because of how they sound.
But clanging as a medical term is never intentional. In this case, it’s a symptom of a mental health challenge. The person may not be aware they’re doing it, and if they are, they cannot control it.
Yes. Clanging is considered a positive symptom of schizophrenia. This means the symptom adds something to the person’s behavior. In this case, a disorganized way of talking that wasn’t there before.
Negative schizophrenia symptoms refer to something that goes away, such as expressing emotions.
In schizophrenia, clanging isn’t always present. It can be a sign that the person’s currently in or about to enter an episode of psychosis.
Psychosis involves a different perception of reality and includes symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.
Clanging is considered disorganized speech, a formal symptom of schizophrenia.
Disorganized speech can also manifest as:
- rapidly changing topics when speaking
- making up and repeating words and phrases
- incoherent sentences and words
Not everybody with schizophrenia experiences clanging or disorganized speech.
Clang associations aren’t exclusive to schizophrenia. They can also appear in bipolar disorder, especially during
Examples of clang association
- “I want another brother mother, other.”
- “Where are the please keys knees to freeze?”
- “On my nose, knees, nuzzle, nod off.”
- “I’m walking to the shop hop slop flip-flop.”
Clanging is a kind of schizophasia. Schizophasia, popularly called “word salad,” is also disorganized speech. It typically involves an incomprehensible mix of random words and phrases, but not always similar sounding.
Just as clanging, schizophasia can be a symptom of neurological and mental health disorders like:
Schizophasia can affect both verbal and written speech.
There’s no cure for schizophrenia, but treatment for schizophrenia may be an effective way to manage symptoms, including clanging.
Management of schizophrenia can include:
- medications, particularly antipsychotics
- psychotherapy like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
- support groups
- self-care strategies, such as following structured routines and using stress-relieving techniques
In some cases, schizophrenia may require hospitalization.
It might also be helpful to create a support plan. This can include educating loved ones about the symptoms of psychosis and telling them who to call or what to do in case professional help is needed.
Although living with schizophrenia can be challenging, treatment can make it possible to live a fulfilled and functional life.
Clanging is a disorganized speech pattern that often appears as a symptom of schizophrenia. It involves using similar-sounding words together, even though they don’t make sense.
While there’s still no cure for schizophrenia, symptoms like disorganized speech can be managed through a combination of medication and talk therapy as well as social support and self-care strategies.