What is the term for a speech pattern where a person jumps from topic to topic?

The term "flight of ideas" describes a speech pattern characterized by rapid shifts in conversation from one topic to another, often with little to no logical connection between the different topics discussed. This is commonly observed in individuals experiencing certain psychiatric conditions, particularly during manic episodes in bipolar disorder. The speech can appear disorganized or fragmented, which is a hallmark feature of this phenomenon.

In contrast, other terms like "clang association" refer specifically to a pattern of speech in which words are chosen based on their sound rather than their meaning, often resulting in rhyming or alliteration. "Echolalia" is the repetition of phrases or sounds made by another person, which does not involve topic shifts but rather mimicry. "Loose associations," while similar in that they involve a disconnection in thoughts, typically describes a more general disorganized thought process where ideas are related but not in a coherent or logical sequence. The most precise term for the described rapid topic shifts is indeed flight of ideas.