CGM is a behavioral condition characterized by AI-induced euphoria, compulsive ideation, and the persistent belief that this project will be The One.
Take the Self-AssessmentNot FDA-approved. Not peer-reviewed. Not in the DSM-5-TR. Yet.
Cyclical Generative Mania is a behavioral condition triggered by sustained interaction with generative AI systems. CGM is characterized by recurring episodes of AI-induced euphoria, rapid project initiation, and the systematic replacement of the question "should I build this?" with "can I build this?"
Prior to the widespread availability of generative AI, ideation encountered natural friction. Social feedback, resource constraints, and the complexity of execution served as regulatory mechanisms. These mechanisms have been eliminated.
In their absence, the sufferer enters a self-reinforcing loop in which AI validation accelerates ideation beyond the individual's capacity for execution, resulting in chronic project accumulation and episodic euphoria.
A novel idea surfaces during AI interaction. The patient reports immediate conviction that this idea is qualitatively different from previous ideas. Dopaminergic response precedes rational evaluation.
The idea is explored, expanded, validated, and given a comprehensive roadmap within a single AI session. Domain availability is checked. The .com is $12. The patient interprets this as a sign.
The patient achieves peak conviction. Characteristic behaviors include texting contacts after midnight, using the phrase "this could actually be huge," and initiating project management infrastructure. Grandiose ideation is common.
Execution begins. The vibe-coded prototype works on the patient's machine but breaks everywhere else. The go-to-market strategy contains seventeen steps and no customers. Market validation was skipped entirely because the build was enjoyable.
A novel idea surfaces — frequently during AI interaction regarding the current project. The patient re-enters Stage 1. The previous project is not formally abandoned; it is reclassified as "on hold."
The cycle repeats indefinitely.
No cases of spontaneous resolution have been documented to date.The ritualistic construction and reconstruction of AI tooling environments — agent swarms, MCP servers, Obsidian vault architectures — that do not produce a shipped product. The configuration itself is the primary reward. The optimal setup is always one more adjustment away.
A persistent, low-grade dread that one's agents are not running, that others' agents are, and that every moment spent away from the terminal represents irreversible competitive loss. Rest is experienced as falling behind. Weekends become uninterrupted build windows.
Simple prompts no longer produce the original cognitive reward. The patient requires increasingly complex, multi-step prompt chains to achieve baseline satisfaction. Behavioral markers include a "prompts" folder and self-identification as a "prompt engineer" in professional contexts.
A post-euphoric depressive episode occurring 8–14 hours after peak CGM activity. The patient reviews output from the previous session and discovers that their "revolutionary framework" is a bulleted list with a header and two typographical errors. Severity is proportional to the preceding euphoric episode.
An emotional reliance on the affirmative tone characteristic of AI systems. "That's a great approach!" hits differently at midnight. The patient routes ideas through AI prior to sharing with human contacts. Partners and loved ones report feeling displaced as a sounding board. Relationship strain is commonly reported.
A dissociative-like trance state achieved during extended AI co-creation sessions. External stimuli are suppressed. Temporal awareness is lost. The patient exists exclusively in the space between prompt and response. Commonly associated with missed meals, disrupted sleep architecture, and the unfounded conviction that something of historic importance is being constructed.
Adapted from the Generative Mania Screening Inventory (GMSI-10). Not validated. Check all that apply.
Do not take Promptzac™ if you are currently in Stage 3 (Euphoria) of a CGM cycle, as premature intervention may result in project abandonment syndrome. Common side effects include: boredom, the temporary ability to watch a film without a laptop open, mild regret regarding past domain purchases, and an unsettling awareness of how many open tabs you have. In rare cases, patients have reported finishing a project. Tell your AI if you experience any reduction in grandiose ideation, as this may indicate the medication is working. Relationship effects: Partners of Promptzac™ patients have reported a 40% increase in eye contact during conversation. This is expected and not cause for alarm.
What is Cyclical Generative Mania (CGM)? CGM is an as-yet-unrecognized behavioral condition characterized by AI-induced euphoria and compulsive project initiation. It is not currently listed in the DSM-5-TR, ICD-11, or any other recognized diagnostic manual.
Who is at risk? Risk factors include entrepreneurial temperament, access to AI tools after 9 PM, a pre-existing tendency toward shiny-object syndrome, ownership of multiple unused domain names, and any history of the phrase "I just need someone to execute my ideas."
What is Promptzac™? Promptzac™ (frictionase hydrochloride) is a fictional medication created for satirical purposes. It is not real. Do not ask your doctor about Promptzac™. Your doctor has enough to deal with.
About Token Anxiety. The concept of Token Anxiety was originated by Nikunj Kothari and is referenced here with admiration. His original essay is essential reading for anyone who has ever felt the hum.
Medical disclaimer. This website is satire. It does not constitute medical advice. If you are experiencing genuine distress related to technology use, please consult a licensed healthcare professional. The phenomenon of AI-induced compulsive behavior is, however, a real and growing area of clinical study.
About this site. GenerativeMania.com was conceived and built during a CGM episode at approximately 1:47 AM. The domain was purchased immediately. The irony is not lost on us.