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Glite Dictionary
catathymia

catathymia

9.9
A mental state in which strong emotions control a person's thoughts and beliefs
  • noun
  • /ˌkætəˈθɪmiə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : catatimia
  • Research into catathymia explores how emotional states can shape one's perceptions and beliefs.

Examples

  • Her catathymia often led her to make impulsive decisions.

  • Some clinicians believe that catathymia can contribute to distorted thinking patterns in certain patients.

  • The psychiatrist discussed the role of catathymia in the development of the patient's delusions.

  • He experienced severe catathymia during stressful situations.

  • The therapist explained that catathymia can heavily influence a person's decision-making process during therapy sessions.

  • In times of distress, her catathymia would often cloud her judgment, making it difficult to think clearly.

  • Many researchers study catathymia to understand how emotional upheavals can lead to significant changes in behavior.

Synonyms

emotionalism
vscatathymia
4 7.3

The act of showing very strong feelings, often more than needed

has inner mental processes dominated by feelings rather than outward expression
overexcitability
vscatathymia
  • Specialized
8.2

A strong, often overwhelming sensitivity to feelings, sounds, or events

involves mental processes being controlled by feelings rather than mere sensitivity

How Emotional

catathymia
  • Specialized
9.9
mood
529 1.0

Surface Forms

catathymia singular
catathymias plural

Morphology

catathymia = thymia (opaque) = cata + thymia

The parts are technical Greek combining forms unlikely to be recognized by an average B1 learner, so the meaning is not transparently derivable from common English morphemes.

Etymology

Catathymia comes from Greek parts kata- ('down' or 'strongly') and thymia ('emotion' or 'mood'). So, catathymia is a state where feelings 'take over' the mind and strongly shape a person's thoughts.