Flight of ideas
Rapid succession of thoughts with logical connections but frequent topic changes, typically seen in mania.
Full Definition
Flight of ideas is a thought process disturbance characterized by rapid thinking with quick shifts from one idea to another, where ideas are connected but the connections may be superficial or tangential. Unlike circumstantial thinking, flight of ideas moves quickly between topics without returning to the original point. This symptom is commonly observed during manic or hypomanic episodes in bipolar disorder. In clinical documentation, flight of ideas should be distinguished from pressured speech (which describes the verbal expression) and from loose associations (where logical connections between ideas are absent).
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate. Distinguish from loose associations and pressured speech in documentation.
In Context
- "Patient demonstrated flight of ideas, jumping rapidly from discussing work to family to travel plans." — Mental status examination
- "Flight of ideas resolved with mood stabilizer treatment over the following week." — Discharge summary