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What is Flight of Ideas?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Flight of ideas is a symptom of several psychiatric disorders, most especially bipolar I disorder during manic phases and schizophrenia, and more rarely with conditions like Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This rapid flow of talk that appears to jump from subject to subject, often with loose associations or plays on words between topics. Very young children may exhibit flight of ideas normally, though as they mature they usually grow out of this. The condition is considered unusual in people who are old enough to stay on topic, but cannot seem to, even if they are trying.

As stated, rapid talking quickly shifts from one subject to another without transitions or breaks, and can continue for long periods. For example, a person might say "Look at the sun, sun, sun, bun, bun, honey bun, bunny hon, bun in the oven." Another person might just shift from topic to topic like this: “I don’t know what I’m going to do about Tony. Well there’s the neighbor’s dog barking again. Did you realize there are three weeks left until June? Man it’s hot in here. There’s a sale down at the mall I just can’t miss.”

A "flight of ideas" episode usually occurs when people with bipolar disorder are experiencing a manic phase.
A "flight of ideas" episode usually occurs when people with bipolar disorder are experiencing a manic phase.

The second example makes it clear that there can be little relationship of one subject to another, as if the mind can’t focus and can’t control thought direction. Thoughts are on flight, coming in rapid-fire sequence that makes little sense. Many people with psychiatric disorders state they feel this flight of ideas whether or not they voice them, and this can have a disorienting effect, or it can feel like the person’s ability to think is particularly augmented.

Flight of ideas may be a symptom of bipolar disorder, which can be passed down from parent to child.
Flight of ideas may be a symptom of bipolar disorder, which can be passed down from parent to child.

This condition occurs for people with bipolar disorder mostly when they're in a manic state, and there’s argument as to whether those who have bipolar II and who are in hypomanic states express this trait often. In schizophrenia, flight of ideas might occur anytime the illness is in progress and thoughts could be even more disconnected or reference delusions of the schizophrenic. In the example above, the ideas are relatively mundane, but in either bipolar mania or schizophrenia, thoughts can bear much less on the real and be difficult to understand. ADHD ideas could vary in quality of reality too, depending on things like age of person expressing them.

In rare cases, children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also experience "flights of ideas."
In rare cases, children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also experience "flights of ideas."

In all cases, this symptom is evidence of a mind at great unrest, and a person who is probably not responding well to treatment. People with longterm bipolar disorder are likely expressing that medications need to be changed or adjusted because they are undergoing med destabilization. Schizophrenics, too, who are already in treatment, are likely to need additional help at this stage.

Individuals suffering with schizophrenia may experience flight of ideas and inappropriate emotional responses.
Individuals suffering with schizophrenia may experience flight of ideas and inappropriate emotional responses.

This symptom can also be one of the first notable symptoms of either of these diseases or of ADHD. What this means is that flight of ideas suggests medical care is required so that the person does not destabilize further. Even with medication adjustments or first treatment of an illness, it may take a while for meds to resolve flight of ideas.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

Ana1234

@browncoat - As long as people understand what really happens with this symptom. I have friends who tend to jump from topic to topic because they get excited and they just happen to have quick or fickle minds. If they have to concentrate on something, they are perfectly able to do that.

I would hate for people, kids especially, who happen to be excitable or just make odd connections others might not understand, to be medicated for no reason.

browncoat

@umbra21 - I would suggest that the only thing you really have to do while it's happening is to make sure that you are safe and that she is safe and then let it run it's course.

It isn't the sort of thing that you can stop without stopping the source of the problem, which is her condition. And anyone who has the real symptom of a flight of ideas should probably be on medication.

It's easy to see it as just a quirky thing that happens sometimes, but it shows how difficult a person might be finding it to concentrate, and that can be extremely dangerous for them.

umbra21

My sister has bipolar disorder and she sometimes does this, although it's generally not this benign. She'll skip from topic to topic, but will get more and more upset over them and often start accusing people of things that they haven't done, or that are impossible.

It's always hard to know how to handle it, because she doesn't respond to any kind of logic when she's like that.

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    • A "flight of ideas" episode usually occurs when people with bipolar disorder are experiencing a manic phase.
      By: Phase4Photography
      A "flight of ideas" episode usually occurs when people with bipolar disorder are experiencing a manic phase.
    • Flight of ideas may be a symptom of bipolar disorder, which can be passed down from parent to child.
      By: Felix Mizioznikov
      Flight of ideas may be a symptom of bipolar disorder, which can be passed down from parent to child.
    • In rare cases, children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also experience "flights of ideas."
      By: Ermolaev Alexandr
      In rare cases, children who suffer from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also experience "flights of ideas."
    • Individuals suffering with schizophrenia may experience flight of ideas and inappropriate emotional responses.
      By: Scott Griessel
      Individuals suffering with schizophrenia may experience flight of ideas and inappropriate emotional responses.
    • People who experience flight of ideas during manic phases may benefit from medical help.
      By: mangostock
      People who experience flight of ideas during manic phases may benefit from medical help.