neologism
Pronunciation: nee-OH-loh-jism
A newly created word or phrase that has meaning only to the individual using it, often seen in thought disorders.
Full Definition
A neologism in psychiatric terminology refers to a newly coined word, phrase, or expression that has idiosyncratic meaning known only to the individual who created it. These linguistic creations typically have no conventional meaning in standard language and cannot be understood by others without explanation from the speaker. Neologisms are considered a formal thought disorder and are most commonly observed in schizophrenia, severe mania, and certain organic brain conditions. They represent a disruption in normal language processing and semantic associations. Unlike standard linguistic creativity or technical jargon, psychiatric neologisms are often bizarre, serve no communicative function, and may reflect underlying cognitive disorganization. Clinical documentation should include specific examples of neologisms, as they provide valuable diagnostic information and can help track changes in thought organization over time.
Usage
Usage note: Always provide specific examples in quotation marks when documenting neologisms.
In Context
- "The patient used multiple neologisms during the interview, including 'flurbling' to describe his emotional state." — Mental status examination
- "Persistent neologisms in the patient's speech suggested ongoing formal thought disorder." — Progress note