Flight of Ideas
A symptom of mania characterized by rapid succession of thoughts with logical connections between them.
Full Definition
Flight of ideas is a thought disorder commonly seen in manic episodes where thoughts move rapidly from one topic to another. Unlike loose associations, the connections between ideas are understandable and often based on wordplay, rhyming, or thematic similarity. This symptom is typically accompanied by pressured speech and represents an acceleration of thought processes rather than a disruption of logical thinking. It differs from racing thoughts in that it's observable to the clinician through the patient's speech patterns.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as a compound modifier; distinguish from loose associations by noting logical connections remain intact.
In Context
- "The patient exhibited flight of ideas, jumping from discussing vacation plans to airline safety to her fear of heights within seconds." — Mental status examination
- "Flight of ideas resolved after mood stabilizer initiation, with thought processes returning to normal pace." — Progress note