hebephrenia

[ hee-buh-free-nee-uh ]

noun

, Psychiatry.

1. a type of schizophrenia characterized by emotionless, incongruous, or silly behavior, intellectual deterioration, and hallucinations, frequently beginning insidiously during adolescence.

hebephrenia

/ ˌhiːbɪˈfriːnɪə; ˌhiːbɪˈfrɛnɪk /

noun

1. a form of pubertal schizophrenia, characterized by hallucinations, delusions, foolish behaviour, and senseless laughter

Derived Forms

• hebephrenic, adjective

Other Words From

• he·be·phren·ic [hee-b, uh, -, fren, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hebephrenia¹

1880–85; < Greek hēbē- ( hebetic ) + -phrenia

Word History and Origins

Origin of hebephrenia¹

C20: New Latin, from Greek hēbē youth + -phrenia mental disorder, from phrēn mind

Example Sentences

Hebephrenia is always a disease of adolescence and never occurs during adult life.

From Project Gutenberg

The subjects of hebephrenia are peculiarly liable to tubercular infection and many die of phthisis.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us recall also the mental troubles, the psychoses designated by the name hebephrenia.

From Project Gutenberg