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mania

n.

1. generally, a state of excitement, overactivity, and psychomotor agitation, often accompanied by overoptimism, grandiosity, or impaired judgment.

2. more specifically, a manic episode or, sometimes, a hypomanic episode.

3. preoccupation with a particular activity or idea, especially when used as a suffix (e.g., kleptomania, pyromania).

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Psychology term of the day

April 28th 2024

graphesthesia

graphesthesia

n. the recognition of numbers or letters that are spelled out on the skin, as with finger movements or a dull pointed object. This form of passive touch has been used as a diagnostic tool for brain damage. In addition, people with both visual and hearing impairment are taught to communicate with those who are unfamiliar with sign language by digitally spelling out words on the skin.