Monomania: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word is derived from the Greek roots 'mono' meaning 'one' and 'mania' meaning 'madness' or 'frenzy.'
• Although the term began to appear in literature in the 19th century, the concept of being overly obsessed has existed for much longer.

Psychology

• Monomania is related to mental health conditions where a person has an excessive fixation, which can sometimes lead to irrational behavior.
• It was once classified as a distinct form of insanity in the early psychiatric diagnoses, mainly highlighting singular obsessions.

Literature

• Notable authors like Edgar Allan Poe explored themes of obsession in his works, reflecting characteristics of monomania.
• The term has been employed to analyze characters in novels who become fixated on singular goals, often leading to dramatic conflict.

Pop Culture

• Movies and TV often depict characters suffering from monomania, portraying their single-mindedness as both a driving force and a tragic flaw.
• A famous example is Captain Ahab from 'Moby-Dick', who obsessively hunts the whale, symbolizing monomania in literature.

Science

• Recent studies within neuroscience suggest that extreme focus can lead to changes in brain function and even mental health issues.
• Research indicates that high levels of fixation may affect decision-making, showing how obsession influences cognitive processes.

This word's position of #33,592 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 33589 infuriate
• 33590 trampoline
• 33591 carnally
• 33592 monomania
• 33593 befriending
• 33594 mawkish
• 33595 blaspheming
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