Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
flight of ideas
Rapid succession of thoughts with logical connections but frequent topic changes.
Full Definition
Flight of ideas is a thought disorder characterized by an accelerated flow of ideas with rapid shifts from topic to topic, typically maintaining some logical connection between consecutive thoughts. This symptom is most commonly associated with manic episodes in bipolar disorder but can also occur in other conditions involving elevated mood or psychosis. Unlike loose associations, the connections between ideas remain comprehensible, though the overall narrative may become difficult to follow due to the rapid pace and frequent digressions.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenated. Distinguish from pressured speech, which refers to rate and volume rather than content flow.
In Context
- "The patient exhibited flight of ideas, jumping from discussing his job to his car to his mother's cooking within seconds." — psychiatric evaluation
- "Her flight of ideas made it challenging to obtain a coherent history during the intake interview." — admission note
Also known as
racing thoughts
Contrasted with
thought blocking
poverty of thought
Don't confuse with
loose associations
circumstantiality
pressured speech