What does the suffix -mania refer to in medical terminology?

The suffix -mania in medical terminology refers to a state of excitement, often characterized by excessive enthusiasm or obsession towards a particular activity or interest. This term is commonly used in various psychological conditions, such as "pyromania," which denotes an obsession with setting fires, or "bipolar mania," which indicates an intensely elevated mood state that can lead to reckless behavior and impulsivity. The suffix helps convey an intense or exaggerated emotional state that significantly impacts a person's behavior and actions, distinguishing it from more neutral or stable states represented by other terms. Understanding this suffix allows for better comprehension of various psychological conditions and their implications.