Word-finding problems

Word-finding problems is often listed as a symptom of ME/CFS. It is also referred to as language impairment. Although there is no evidence of language impairment with ME/CFS or FMS, "these problems are similar to those associated with a speech disorder called dysphasia (or aphasia, if it's severe)."

Prevalence

 * In a 2001 Belgian study, 75.5% of patients meeting the Fukuda criteria and 80.4% of patients meeting the Holmes criteria, in a cohort of 2073 CFS patients, reported difficulties with words
 * Katrina Berne reports a prevalence of 75-80% for 'aphasia' (inability to find the right word, saying the wrong word) and/or dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers) - although she notes that this symptom is probably underreported and more prevalent than indicated.

Symptom recognition
The Wisconsin ME/CFS Association lists under the cognitive problem portion of Other Common Symptoms "word-finding difficulties" and then goes on to say about many of the symptoms of ME/CFS, "While these symptoms are also experienced occasionally by healthy people, the frequency and severity of their occurrence in people with CFS/FM/MCS is dramatically increased from their occurrence before they became ill."

The ME Association notes under the bullet Brain and Central Nervous System problems including Cognitive dysfunction such as "word finding abilities".