pressured speech
Rapid, excessive talking that is difficult to interrupt, commonly seen in manic or hypomanic episodes.
Full Definition
Pressured speech is a formal thought disorder characterized by rapid, continuous, and excessive verbal output that feels driven and is difficult to interrupt. The speech often lacks natural pauses and may involve jumping between topics or ideas. This symptom is most commonly associated with manic or hypomanic episodes in bipolar disorder, but can also occur in other conditions such as substance intoxication, anxiety disorders, or certain personality disorders. Pressured speech differs from flight of ideas (the content) and represents the manner or form of speech delivery. It often accompanies other manic symptoms such as decreased need for sleep and increased goal-directed activity.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate as compound modifier. Describe the manner of speech, not the content.
In Context
- "The patient exhibited pressured speech, speaking rapidly without pausing for responses." — Mental status examination
- "Pressured speech improved significantly after mood stabilizer adjustment." — Medication management note