Monomanias, in the context of psychology and psychiatry, refer to a specific form of obsession or preoccupation with a single idea, ruling out or greatly diminishing the importance of all other thoughts and interests in an individual's life. It is characterized by an intense fixation on a particular subject, often to the point of obsession or compulsion, which can have a significant impact on a person's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
The term "monomanias" originated from the Greek words "monos," meaning "alone" or "single," and "mania," indicating a state of excessive enthusiasm or obsession. Therefore, monomanias can be seen as a type of mental condition where an individual experiences an overwhelming and singular passion or fixation.
Monomanias can manifest in various forms, such as religious monomania, where a person becomes excessively devoted or obsessed with religious beliefs or rituals, or criminal monomania, in which an individual develops an obsessive and sometimes delusional interest in committing crime. Other examples include hypochondriac monomania, where a person is preoccupied with the fear of having a serious illness, or romantic monomania, characterized by an obsessive infatuation with another person.
The concept of monomanias is closely related to the broader category of obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), where individuals experience intrusive and unwanted thoughts (obsessions) and engage in repetitive behaviors (compulsions) to alleviate the associated anxiety. However, monomanias typically involve an extreme and exclusive focus on a specific theme or idea, rather than a variety of obsessions and compulsions seen in OCD.
In summary, monomanias can be defined as a form of obsession characterized by an intense fixation on a singular idea or subject, resulting in a significant impact on an
