status dramaticus

noun

The supposed illness affecting a patient who behaves in an overdramatic manner to seek attention or complain about their symptoms.

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Meanings

nounstatus dramaticus (uncountable)
  1. colloquialderogatoryuncountablemedicine and nursingThe supposed illness affecting a patient who behaves in an overdramatic manner to seek attention or complain about their symptoms.

Origin

Based on status, as in status asthmaticus (“prolonged asthma attack”) or status epilepticus (“prolonged seizure”), and dramatic.

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Cite this entry
APA

status dramaticus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/status%20dramaticus

MLA

“status dramaticus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/status%20dramaticus. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “status dramaticus,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/status%20dramaticus.

Source: status dramaticus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.