attacks of insanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attacks of insanity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe episodes or instances of severe mental disturbance or irrational behavior. Example: "During his life, he experienced several attacks of insanity that left him unable to function normally."

✓ Grammatically correct

Law

Medical

Historical

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, a wedding could only be solemnised "if at the time of marriage neither party suffers from recurrent attacks of insanity or epilepsy".

The Guardian - Books

The reason for this hiatus was the tragedy of Āzād's later life: the attacks of insanity that began increasingly to afflict him.

University of Chicago

The two may have still felt mutual affection, and Isabeau exchanged gifts and letters with him during his periods of lucidity, but distanced herself during the prolonged attacks of insanity.

Wikipedia

In 1392 Charles suffered the first in a lifelong series of attacks of insanity, manifested by an "insatiable fury" at the attempted assassination of the Constable of France and leader of the Marmousets, Olivier de Clisson carried out by Pierre de Craon but orchestrated by John V, Duke of Brittany.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her husband's first severe attack of insanity (Aug. 5, 1392) caused her great distress; for years she sought remedies, both medical and supernatural.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The ball was one of a number of events intended to entertain the young king, who in the previous summer had suffered an attack of insanity.

Wikipedia

Trump's speech was pathetically embarrassing, full of lies, full of petty attacks and the biggest display of insanity!

Huffington Post

He was tried on 26 June 1800 at the Court of King's Bench, and his counsel, Thomas Erskine, argued that although Hadfield's planning of the attack meant that the normal defence of insanity would not have been sufficient, the true test of insanity is delusions and "frenzy or raving madness", which Hadfield suffered from.

Wikipedia

These a cappella pieces target their subjects with laser-like precision, while the song that attacked the insanity of Wall Street's implosion was nothing short of brilliant.

Huffington Post

Mr. Baz was arrested two days after the attack and pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

The New York Times

His patient file describes his condition as a one-month "attack" of "mania", with "delusion" as his "specific sign of insanity".

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "attacks of insanity", be specific about the manifestations of the condition. Use descriptive language to convey the severity and impact of these episodes on the individual and those around them.

Common error

Avoid using "attacks of insanity" as a casual descriptor for minor eccentricities or temporary lapses in judgment. This phrase denotes a severe mental disturbance and should be reserved for appropriate contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attacks of insanity" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes recurring instances or episodes of severe mental instability. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples from reputable sources, where the phrase denotes periods of intense mental derangement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "attacks of insanity" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe recurrent episodes of severe mental instability. While Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples from various sources, its frequency is relatively low. The term often appears in medical, legal, and historical contexts, aiming to convey the intensity and recurring nature of these episodes. While the expression is valid, alternative phrases like "bouts of madness" or "episodes of mental derangement" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance and context. Ludwig's AI analysis suggests the phrase is usable and understandable, but careful consideration should be given to the potential for stigmatizing language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bouts of madness

Replaces "insanity" with "madness", a synonym with slightly different connotations.

insane episodes

A more direct and concise alternative, rearranging the original phrase.

outbursts of madness

Replaces "attacks" with "outbursts", emphasizing the sudden and uncontrolled nature of the episodes.

episodes of mental derangement

Substitutes "attacks" with "episodes" and "insanity" with a more clinical term, "mental derangement".

fits of lunacy

Uses "fits" as a synonym for "attacks" and "lunacy" as a more archaic term for "insanity".

periods of mental instability

Focuses on the "instability" aspect of insanity, broadening the scope slightly.

spells of mental illness

Emphasizes the medical aspect by using the term "mental illness".

recurrent psychotic episodes

Implies a pattern of repeated psychotic episodes.

moments of irrational behavior

Shifts the focus to observable behavior rather than the underlying mental state.

temporary psychotic breaks

Uses more technical terminology, specifying "psychotic breaks" and their temporary nature.

FAQs

How can I use "attacks of insanity" in a sentence?

You can use "attacks of insanity" to describe periods of severe mental disturbance, as in "The historical records document several "attacks of insanity" suffered by the king".

What are some alternatives to "attacks of insanity"?

Alternatives include "bouts of madness", "episodes of mental derangement", or "fits of lunacy", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. "bouts of madness" might be appropriate in a literary context, while "episodes of mental derangement" could be used in a clinical setting.

Is "attacks of insanity" a stigmatizing term?

While "attacks of insanity" can sound harsh, it accurately describes a specific condition. However, using more sensitive language like "episodes of mental illness" may be preferable in some contexts to avoid perpetuating stigma.

How does the legal definition of insanity relate to "attacks of insanity"?

In legal contexts, "not guilty by reason of insanity" is a specific plea. The term "attacks of insanity" might be used to describe the episodes that lead to such a plea, but the legal standard for insanity varies by jurisdiction.