hysteria

(hĭstĕr`ēə), in psychology, a disorder commonly known today as conversion disorder, in which a psychological conflict is converted into a bodily disturbance. It is distinguished from hypochondriahypochondria
, in psychology, a disorder characterized by an exaggeration of imagined or negligible physical ailment. The hypochondriac fears that such minor symptoms indicate a serious disease, and tends to be self-centered and socially withdrawn.
..... Click the link for more information. by the fact that its sufferers do not generally confuse their condition with real, physical disease. Conversion disorder is usually found in patients with immature, histrionic personalities who are under great stress. Women are affected twice as frequently as men. Symptoms, which are largely symbolic and which relieve the patient's anxiety, include limb paralysis, blindness, or convulsive seizures. The specific physical disorder usually does not correspond to the anatomy; e.g., an entire limb may be paralyzed rather than a specific group of muscles. The person may also appear to be unconcerned about the illness, a condition French psychiatrist Pierre JanetJanet, Pierre
, 1859–1947, French physician and psychologist. As director (1890–98) of the laboratory of pathological psychology at Salpêtrière and as professor of experimental and comparative psychology at the Collège de France from 1902, he made
..... Click the link for more information. called la belle indifference (1929). At the end of the 19th cent., great advances were made in the understanding and cure of hysteria by the recognition of its psychogenic nature and by the use of hypnotism to influence the hysteric patient, who is known to have a high degree of suggestibility. The Austrian physician Josef BreuerBreuer, Josef
, 1842–1925, Austrian physician. He was the first to use (1880–82) the cathartic method to cure hysteria. His therapy and theory, when developed by Freud, became psychoanalysis. Together they wrote Studies in Hysteria (1895).
..... Click the link for more information. , the French psychologists J. M. Charcot and Pierre Janet, and Austrian psychiatrist Sigmund FreudFreud, Sigmund
, 1856–1939, Austrian psychiatrist, founder of psychoanalysis. Born in Moravia, he lived most of his life in Vienna, receiving his medical degree from the Univ. of Vienna in 1881.

His medical career began with an apprenticeship (1885–86) under J.
..... Click the link for more information. were pioneers in the investigation of hysteria through hypnosis. Freud concluded that hysterical symptoms were symbolic representations of a repressed unconscious event, accompanied by strong emotions that could not be adequately expressed or discharged at the time. Instead, the strong effect associated with the event was diverted into the wrong somatic channels (conversion), and the physical symptom resulted. Psychoanalysis has had reasonable success in helping patients suffering from conversion disorder.

Bibliography

See A. Roy, ed., Hysteria (1982); E. Showalter, Hystories: Hysterical Epidemics and Modern Culture (1997).

Hysteria

(from Greek hystera, uterus; in ancient times, hysteria was believed linked to uterine disease), a disease classified as a neurosis and characterized by various disturbances of the psyche, the motor sphere, sensitivity, and internal organs.

According to I. P. Pavlov, hysteria develops as a result of the predominance of the processes of excitation in higher nervous activity over the processes of inhibition; cortical regulation of subcortical excitation is insufficient, and the second signaling system is weak in comparison with the first. The weakness of the cortex and the predominance of the first signaling system determine the chaotic nature of the reactions, their emotivity, impulsiveness, and suggestibility. Many life stimuli are excessive for such persons and produce the extension of inhibition from the cerebral cortex to its subcortical areas, thus causing a hypnotic state of varying depth. Hysteria is manifested in a hysteric personality, hysterical attacks, and hysterical disturbances of consciousness and of the functions of internal organs.

The hysteric personality is characterized by mental instability, superficial and excitable emotionality, capriciously changeable tendencies, and the capacity for completely contradictory behavior. Hysterics combine inferiority feelings with the need to attract attention, role-playing, and showing-off; they take the imaginary for the real and subordinate reason and will to emotional impulse. Their attitude to the environment swings wildly and they change from sympathy to antipathy instantaneously.

Disturbances of mental activity in hysteria are expressed by psychotic phenomena—a state of increased irritability, depression, motionlessness, and indifference—and by disturbances of the will (most often in the form of abulia). In many cases there are paroxysmal seizures, or hysterical attacks, which are usually triggered by some irritant and accompanied by violent manifestations of emotion—weeping, cries, motor excitement, and falling—and by external manifestations of disturbances of consciousness, or loss of consciousness. Such attacks may be mistaken for epileptic ones, but they never entail any serious bodily harm or any disturbances that last in the postattack state.

Disturbances of sensitivity in hysteria involve precisely half the body, and sometimes a single extremity or the face. Also observed are functional (reversible) disturbances of movement and speech, blindness, deafness, gastrointestinal disturbances, and disorders of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory organs, and the genitourinary organs. In serious cases there is dimming of consciousness accompanied by vivid visual hallucinations and imaginal delirium.

Hysteria can be prevented by proper rearing by the family, school, and community organizations.

Treatment calls for psychotherapy, which helps the patient form a conscious and critical attitude toward himself and his place in objective reality, provides incentives to strengthen social bonds and to participate in activities with others, and develops attachments and responsiveness to people. Also used in treatment are occupational therapy, mental and will-power training, tranquilizers, and physiotherapy.

Ability to work is not impaired in hysterics, as a rule.

REFERENCES

Gannushkin, P. B. Izbrannye trudy. Moscow, 1964.
Davidenkov, S. N. Newozy. Leningrad, 1963.
Nevrozy. Edited by V. N. Miasishchev. Petrozavodsk, 1956.

V. N. MIASISHCHEV

hysteria

[hi′ster·ē·ə] (psychology) A type of neurosis characterized by extreme emotionalism involving disorders of somatic and psychological functions; the conversion type is associated with neuromuscular and sensory symptoms such as paralysis, tremors, seizures, or blindness, whereas the dissociative displays disorders of consciousness such as amnesia, somnolence, and multiple personalities.

hysteria

a mental disorder characterized by emotional outbursts, susceptibility to autosuggestion, and, often, symptoms such as paralysis that mimic the effects of physical disorders

hysteria

Hysteria

Definition

The term "hysteria" has been in use for over 2,000 years and its definition has become broader and more diffuse over time. In modern psychology and psychiatry, hysteria is a feature of hysterical disorders in which a patient experiences physical symptoms that have a psychological, rather than an organic, cause; and histrionic personality disorder characterized by excessive emotions, dramatics, and attention-seeking behavior.

Description

Hysterical disorders

Patients with hysterical disorders, such as conversion and somatization disorder experience physical symptoms that have no organic cause. Conversion disorder affects motor and sensory functions, while somatization affects the gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiopulmonary, or reproductive systems. These patients are not "faking" their ailments, as the symptoms are very real to them. Disorders with hysteric features typically begin in adolescence or early adulthood.

Histrionic personality disorder

Histrionic personality disorder has a prevalence of approximately 2-3% of the general population. It begins in early adulthood and has been diagnosed more frequently in women than in men. Histrionic personalities are typically self-centered and attention seeking. They operate on emotion, rather than fact or logic, and their conversation is full of generalizations and dramatic appeals. While the patient's enthusiasm, flirtatious behavior, and trusting nature may make them appear charming, their need for immediate gratification, mercurial displays of emotion, and constant demand for attention often alienates them from others.

Causes and symptoms

Hysterical disorders

Hysteria may be a defense mechanism to avoid painful emotions by unconsciously transferring this distress to the body. There may be a symbolic function for this, for example a rape victim may develop paralyzed legs. Symptoms may mimic a number of physical and neurological disorders which must be ruled out before a diagnosis of hysteria is made.

Histrionic personality disorder

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), individuals with histrionic personality possess at least five of the following symptoms or personality features:

a need to be the center of attention
inappropriate, sexually seductive, or provocative behavior while interacting with others
rapidly changing emotions and superficial expression of emotions
vague and impressionistic speech (gives opinions without any supporting details)
easily influenced by others
believes relationships are more intimate than they are.

Diagnosis

Hysterical disorders frequently prove to be actual medical or neurological disorders, which makes it important to rule these disorders out before diagnosing a patient with hysterical disorders. In addition to a patient interview, several clinical inventories may be used to assess the patient for hysterical tendencies, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) or the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III). These tests may be administered in an outpatient or hospital setting by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Treatment

Hysterical disorders

For people with hysterical disorders, a supportive healthcare environment is critical. Regular appointments with a physician who acknowledges the patient's physical discomfort are important. Psychotherapy may be attempted to help the patient gain insight into the cause of their distress. Use of behavioral therapy can help to avoid reinforcing symptoms.

Histrionic personality disorder

Psychotherapy is generally the treatment of choice for histrionic personality disorder. It focuses on supporting the patient and on helping develop the skills needed to create meaningful relationships with others.

Prognosis

Hysterical disorders

The outcome for hysterical disorders varies by type. Somatization is typically a lifelong disorder, while conversion disorder may last for months or years. Symptoms of hysterical disorders may suddenly disappear, only to reappear in another form later.

Histrionic personality disorder

Individuals with histrionic personality disorder may be at a higher risk for suicidal gestures, attempts, or threats in an effort to gain attention. Providing a supportive environment for patients with both hysterical disorders and histrionic personality disorder is key to helping these patients.

Resources

Organizations

American Psychiatric Association. 1400 K Street NW, Washington DC 20005. (888) 357-7924. 〈http:// www.psych.org〉.American Psychological Association (APA). 750 First St. NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242. (202) 336-5700. 〈ttp://www.apa.org〉.National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI). Colonial Place Three, 2107 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 300, Arlington, VA 22201-3042. (800) 950-6264. http://www.nami.org.

hysteria

[his-ter´e-ah] a now somewhat nebulous term formerly used widely in psychiatry. Its meanings included classic hysteria (now called somatization disorder); hysterical neurosis (now divided into conversion disorder and dissociative disorders); and hysterical personality (now called histrionic personality). adj. adj hyster´ic, hyster´ical.

hys·te·ri·a

(his-tē'rē-ă), Negative or pejorative connotations of this word may render it offensive in some contexts.A term derived from the ancient Greek concept of a wandering uterus, denoting maladies involving physical symptoms that seem better explained by psychological factors. The concept of hysteria is historicaly differentiated into somatization disorder and conversion disorder, both of which are considered types of somatoform disorders in the DSM. The current ICD-10, however, places conversion disorder with dissociative disorders, not with somatoform disorders. See: conversion, psychogenic, psychosomatic. [G. hystera, womb, from the original notion of womb-related disturbances in women]

hysteria

(hĭ-stĕr′ē-ə, -stîr′-)n.1. Behavior exhibiting excessive or uncontrollable emotion, such as fear or panic.2. A group of psychiatric symptoms, including heightened emotionality, attention-seeking behavior, and preoccupation with physical symptoms that may not be explainable by a medical condition. The term hysteria is no longer in clinical use, and such symptoms are currently attributed to any of several psychiatric conditions, including somatic symptom disorder, conversion disorder, and histrionic personality disorder.

hysteria

Psychiatry A 16^th century term for excessive emotional lability, anxiety etc. See Mass hysteria, Vapors.

hys·te·ri·a

(his-ter'ē-ă) A somatoform disorder in which there is an alteration or loss of physical functioning that suggests a physical disorder such as paralysis of an arm or disturbance of vision, but that is instead apparently an expression of a psychological conflict or need. [G. hystera, womb, from the original notion of womb-related disturbances in women]

hysteria

A disturbance of body function not caused by organic disease but resulting from psychological upset or need. The affected person is apparently unaware of the psychological origin of the disorder. The term ‘hysteria’ has become politically incorrect and is now usually referred to as a CONVERSION DISORDER.

psy·cho·so·mat·ic

(sī'kō-sŏ-mat'ik) Refers to influence of mind or psychological functioning of brain on physiologic functions of body relative to bodily disorders or disease and reciprocal impact of disease on psychological functioning. [psycho- + G. sōma, body]

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Bibliography

Hysteria

REFERENCES

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Hysteria

Definition

Description

Hysterical disorders

Histrionic personality disorder

Causes and symptoms

Hysterical disorders

Histrionic personality disorder

Diagnosis

Treatment

Hysterical disorders

Histrionic personality disorder

Prognosis

Hysterical disorders

Histrionic personality disorder

Resources

Organizations

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psy·cho·so·mat·ic

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Synonyms for hysteria

noun frenzy

Synonyms

Synonyms for hysteria

noun state of violent mental agitation

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Related Words

noun excessive or uncontrollable fear

Related Words

noun neurotic disorder characterized by violent emotional outbreaks and disturbances of sensory and motor functions

Synonyms

Related Words