ABSTRACT
We shall now consider the various stages in the development of distraction of thought. The first phase is naturally to be seen in hypomania, where, as we have said, attention is directed to thoughts of activity fairly well in keeping with the environment, so that the patient does not lose contact with reality in any marked way. One notes with these cases that their distraction proceeds only to that point, where there are dominant topics of conversation. They speak continually of their capacity, their wealth, or the importance of their schemes. They are fully oriented and in no way show any gross defect of intelligence, but the underlying principle, of preponderate attention being given to autistic rather than to critical thinking, does affect their intelligence at one point. Judgment as to the practicability, the expedience, of their plans, is weak or absent.
