Relating to extreme energy, excitement, or mood swings; in psychology, refers to periods of abnormally high energy and activity.
From Greek 'mania' meaning 'madness' or 'frenzy,' possibly from 'manos' meaning 'thin' or 'sparse' (as in scattered thoughts). It entered medical English in the 18th century.
Manic comes from Greek 'mania' (madness), and it's the opposite word from 'depressive' in 'manic-depressive disorder,' now called bipolar disorder—the swinging between extremes is what defines it.
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