Monomania

Monomania is a pathological obsession with a single idea, subject, or pursuit to the exclusion of all others. It's a form of mental illness characterized by an excessive preoccupation with one particular thought or belief, often leading to irrational behavior or a distorted perception of reality. Unlike general obsessions, monomania focuses on a specific area, dominating the individual's thoughts and actions and potentially disrupting their relationships, work, or daily life. The individual may exhibit delusion-like behaviors tied to their focused obsession, becoming intensely focused and often resistant to logic or reason.

Monomania meaning with examples

• The inventor, consumed by monomania, spent years and all his money perfecting a perpetual motion machine. His single-minded focus alienated his family and friends, who saw no practical value in his project, dismissing it as a mad man's dream.
• Driven by a monomania for collecting vintage cars, John neglected his family and career, pouring all his time and resources into acquiring rare models. He believed his collection held intrinsic value, disregarding advice to diversify his assets.
• The conspiracy theorist's monomania led him to interpret every news event as further proof of the government's secret plot. His social media posts were filled with claims, he disregarded contradictory evidence, and saw conspiracies everywhere.
• Sarah developed a monomania about her appearance after a minor negative comment on her appearance, and spent hours obsessing over perceived imperfections and undergoing repeated cosmetic procedures, neglecting her health.