# derangement Syndrome

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/derangement-syndrome
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The acute onset of paranoia in otherwise normal and balanced people triggered by the mention of a specific topic.

## Examples

- He suffers from Derangement Syndrome whenever we talk about politics.
- She experiences derangement syndrome whenever she hears that celebrity's name.
- Does this specific news channel give you derangement syndrome?
- The office meeting turned chaotic when the manager mentioned the new policy, triggering a clear case of Derangement Syndrome among the staff.
- My neighbor usually acts very calm, but he shows signs of derangement syndrome the moment anyone brings up the new city tax.
- The dinner party was going well until a guest displayed total derangement syndrome over a simple disagreement about the local football team.
- I try to avoid discussing climate change with my uncle because it always triggers his derangement syndrome and ruins the holiday.
- Observers noted that even the most rational scholars were not immune to Derangement Syndrome when the controversial topic was introduced during the academic debate.

## Origin

Coined in 2003 by Charles Krauthammer as Bush Derangement Syndrome (BDS) in The Washington Post article "The Delusional Dean".

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.