noun
mania
MAY-nee-uh/ˈmeɪniə/
A state of unusually elevated or irritable mood and heightened energy.
During mania, a person may feel unusually energetic and need little sleep.
Etymology
Greek mania covered both madness and inspired enthusiasm. The English sense of an obsession or craze extends this idea of frenzy to an eager, seemingly uncontrollable interest.
In context
The Bracken Fielders, like most other girls, were given to fads. The collecting mania in a variety of forms, raged hot and strong.
More examples
- Her doctor asks about past episodes of mania.
- Mania can involve irritability rather than a cheerful mood.
- Treatment helps him manage mania and maintain a regular sleep schedule.
Forms
mania
manic adjective — Relating to mania or showing its symptoms.
Similar words
- hypomania
- A less severe elevated mood state without mania's marked impairment.