tangentiality
Pronunciation: tan-jen-she-AL-ih-tee
A thought disorder characterized by responses that begin relevantly but gradually drift away from the original topic without returning to it.
Full Definition
Tangentiality is a formal thought disorder observed in psychiatric interviews where a patient's responses start on topic but progressively veer away from the original question or subject matter. Unlike circumstantiality, tangential responses never return to the initial point. This symptom is commonly seen in schizophrenia, mania, and certain personality disorders. It represents a disruption in the logical flow of thought and can significantly impair communication effectiveness.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from circumstantiality (which returns to the point) and derailment (which involves sudden topic shifts).
In Context
- "The patient exhibited marked tangentiality when asked about her mood symptoms." — mental status examination
- "His tangentiality made it difficult to obtain a coherent history." — psychiatric evaluation