flight of ideas
A thought disorder characterized by rapid succession of ideas with logical connections but frequent topic changes.
Full Definition
Flight of ideas is a formal thought disorder characterized by rapid succession of thoughts and speech with frequent changes of topic, though logical associations between ideas remain discernible. Unlike word salad or loose associations, each idea flows logically to the next through various connections such as rhyming, punning, or thematic similarity. This symptom is classically associated with manic episodes in bipolar disorder but can also occur in other conditions involving elevated mood or increased psychomotor activity. The rapid pace and frequent topic shifts can significantly impair communication and social functioning.
Usage
Usage note: Always use hyphens; classic symptom of mania - ensure proper documentation in mood disorder assessments.
In Context
- "The patient's flight of ideas made it difficult to complete a coherent history during the manic episode." — Emergency psychiatric evaluation
- "Lithium therapy significantly reduced the patient's flight of ideas and pressured speech." — Medication response report