Hysteria: Over-the-Top Emotions or Psychological Condition?

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistorySymptomsHysteria’s Evolving DiagnosesCausesTreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

History

Symptoms

Hysteria’s Evolving Diagnoses

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Close

“Hysteria” in Victorian times described a cluster of signs and symptoms such as hallucinations, nervousness, and partial paralysis thought to affect only women. These are now known to be common in psychological conditions such as dissociative andsomatic disordersin both males and females. “Hysteria” is also modern slang for a state of excessive emotion and behavior, often amusement and laughter.

Hysteria can be defined as a feature of some conditions that involve people experiencing physical symptoms that have a psychological cause.

History of Hysteria

Hysteria referred to apsychological disorderin females as far back as 1900 BCE, when ancient Egyptians first described the condition as “spontaneous uterus movement.“It was also known as “wandering uterus.” To treat it, Egyptians placed bad-smelling or other scented substances near the woman’s vulva or face, depending on whether the uterus was thought to have moved up or down. The Greek physician Celsus suggested that both virginity and abstinence helped cure hysteria.

The word hysteria comes from the Greekhystera, which means “uterus.”

The notion that this condition affected only females was common until the early 1600s, when anatomist Thomas Willis concluded that hysteria did not originate in the uterus, but in the brain.This understanding opened the possibility that hysteria could affect men as well. Still, the term remained a common diagnosis for women, particularly in Victorian times.The second edition of theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), published in 1968, mentioned “hysterical neurosis”—a term deleted in 1980.

Today, people exhibiting “hysterical” symptoms might be diagnosed withsomatic symptom disorder,dissociative disorder, orconversion disorder.

Hysteria and Psychoanalysis

Hysteria helped shape the field of psychoanalysis. In the 1800s, for example, French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot usedhypnosisto treat women suffering from hysteria.The famed Austrian psychoanalystSigmund Freudstudied with Charcot, so he had firsthand experience observing these patients and Charcot’s treatment methods.

Freud’s work with colleague Josef Breuer on the case ofAnna O, a young woman experiencing symptoms of hysteria, helped lead to the development ofpsychoanalytic therapy.Anna found that simply talking about her problems with a therapist had a major impact on her well-being and dubbed this treatment the “talking cure”—also known today as talk therapy.

Freud’s colleague, Carl Jung, treatedSabina Spielrein, a young woman also thought to suffer from hysteria. Jung and Freud’s many discussions of Spielrein’s case helped give rise to their theories. Spielrein herself became a psychoanalyst who helped bring the psychoanalytic approach to Russia before the Nazis murdered her during World War II.

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What Does Hysteria Feel Like?

Signs and symptoms considered characteristic of hysteria include:

Additional symptoms often associated with a hysterical state vary but include:

Now known as an outdated term for a cluster of signs and symptoms, hysteria can feature in several psychological disorders.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative disorders interrupt aspects of consciousness such as identity and memory. Disorders in this category include:

Somatic Symptom Disorder

Several conditions fall within this category, including:

In somatic symptom disorder, the person is preoccupied with physical symptoms such as weakness, pain, or shortness of breath, causing significant distress and difficulties with normal functioning. The person might (or might not) have a true physical problem, so it’s important to note that they aren’t faking an illness per se: They trulybelievethat they are ill.

Causes of Hysterical Signs and Symptoms

Over time, theories about what causes hysteria have changed. Although they originally focused on the uterus, researchers now know that the causes of both dissociative and somatic disorders are often psychological.

Somatic symptom disorder can also arise fromchildhood abuseorparental neglect, as well as from extreme anxiety about bodily processes and illness combined with a low pain threshold.

Hysterical contagion, a form of social contagion, causes symptoms often associated with hysteria to spread among people. In this phenomenon, groups develop symptoms that could be attributed to a physical or contagious source; however, in reality, they stem from social and psychological influences.

What Is Mass Hysteria (Mass Psychosis)?

Treatment for Hysteria

Treating hysteria-like symptoms associated with dissociative and somatic symptom disorders typically includes psychotherapy. Common treatment approaches include:

In some cases, medications are prescribed to help reduce symptoms—for example,amitriptyline,selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors(SSRIs), andSt. John’s wort.

Coping With Hysteria

If you or a loved one experience symptoms once associated with hysteria—such as having emotional outbursts, losing sensation, or having hallucinations—seek the help of a mental health professional. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you cope:

16 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tasca C, Rapetti M, Carta MG, Fadda B.Women and hysteria in the history of mental health.Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2012;8:110–119. doi:10.2174/1745017901208010110Shetty S, Chandini S, Fernandes S, Safeekh A.Hysteria: A historical perspective.Arch Med Health Sci. 2020;8(2):312-5. doi:10.4103/amhs.amhs_220_20Britannica.Conversion disorder.Arraez-Aybar L, Navia-Alvarez P, Fuentes-Redondo T, Bueno-Lopez J.Thomas Willis, a pioneer in translational research in anatomy (on the 350th anniversary ofCerebri anatome).J Anat. 2015;226(3):289-300. doi:10.1111/joa.12273Baloh RW.Early Ideas on Hysteria. In: Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Copernicus, Cham: 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59181-6_2Lafrance WC.‘Hysteria’ today and tomorrow.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:198-204. doi:10.1159/000360064North C.The classification of hysteria and related disorders: Historical and phenomenological considerations.Behav Sci. 2015;5(4):496-517. doi:10.3390/bs5040496Carota A, Calabrese P.Hysteria around the world.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:169-180. doi:10.1159/000360062Tsuman L.Anna O.Encycloped Personal Indiv Diff. 2020. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-246612-3_566Balbuena F.Sabina Spielrein: From being a psychiatric patient to becoming an analyst herself.Am J Psychoanal. 2020;80:281-308. doi:10.1057/s11231-020-09260-0American Psychological Association.Hysteria.De Bustos E, Galli S, Haffen E, Moulin T.Clinical manifestations of hysteria: An epistemological perspective or how historical dynamics illuminate current practice.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:28-43. doi:10.1159/000360436National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Somatic symptoms disorder in adults.Bartholomew RE, Wessely S, Rubin GJ.Mass psychogenic illness and the social network: is it changing the pattern of outbreaks?.J R Soc Med. 2012;105(12):509-512. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.120053Kurlansik S, Maffei M.Somatic symptom disorder.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Jan 1;93(1):49-54A.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM—5TR).

16 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tasca C, Rapetti M, Carta MG, Fadda B.Women and hysteria in the history of mental health.Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2012;8:110–119. doi:10.2174/1745017901208010110Shetty S, Chandini S, Fernandes S, Safeekh A.Hysteria: A historical perspective.Arch Med Health Sci. 2020;8(2):312-5. doi:10.4103/amhs.amhs_220_20Britannica.Conversion disorder.Arraez-Aybar L, Navia-Alvarez P, Fuentes-Redondo T, Bueno-Lopez J.Thomas Willis, a pioneer in translational research in anatomy (on the 350th anniversary ofCerebri anatome).J Anat. 2015;226(3):289-300. doi:10.1111/joa.12273Baloh RW.Early Ideas on Hysteria. In: Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Copernicus, Cham: 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59181-6_2Lafrance WC.‘Hysteria’ today and tomorrow.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:198-204. doi:10.1159/000360064North C.The classification of hysteria and related disorders: Historical and phenomenological considerations.Behav Sci. 2015;5(4):496-517. doi:10.3390/bs5040496Carota A, Calabrese P.Hysteria around the world.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:169-180. doi:10.1159/000360062Tsuman L.Anna O.Encycloped Personal Indiv Diff. 2020. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-246612-3_566Balbuena F.Sabina Spielrein: From being a psychiatric patient to becoming an analyst herself.Am J Psychoanal. 2020;80:281-308. doi:10.1057/s11231-020-09260-0American Psychological Association.Hysteria.De Bustos E, Galli S, Haffen E, Moulin T.Clinical manifestations of hysteria: An epistemological perspective or how historical dynamics illuminate current practice.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:28-43. doi:10.1159/000360436National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Somatic symptoms disorder in adults.Bartholomew RE, Wessely S, Rubin GJ.Mass psychogenic illness and the social network: is it changing the pattern of outbreaks?.J R Soc Med. 2012;105(12):509-512. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.120053Kurlansik S, Maffei M.Somatic symptom disorder.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Jan 1;93(1):49-54A.Additional ReadingAmerican Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM—5TR).

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Tasca C, Rapetti M, Carta MG, Fadda B.Women and hysteria in the history of mental health.Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2012;8:110–119. doi:10.2174/1745017901208010110Shetty S, Chandini S, Fernandes S, Safeekh A.Hysteria: A historical perspective.Arch Med Health Sci. 2020;8(2):312-5. doi:10.4103/amhs.amhs_220_20Britannica.Conversion disorder.Arraez-Aybar L, Navia-Alvarez P, Fuentes-Redondo T, Bueno-Lopez J.Thomas Willis, a pioneer in translational research in anatomy (on the 350th anniversary ofCerebri anatome).J Anat. 2015;226(3):289-300. doi:10.1111/joa.12273Baloh RW.Early Ideas on Hysteria. In: Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Copernicus, Cham: 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59181-6_2Lafrance WC.‘Hysteria’ today and tomorrow.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:198-204. doi:10.1159/000360064North C.The classification of hysteria and related disorders: Historical and phenomenological considerations.Behav Sci. 2015;5(4):496-517. doi:10.3390/bs5040496Carota A, Calabrese P.Hysteria around the world.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:169-180. doi:10.1159/000360062Tsuman L.Anna O.Encycloped Personal Indiv Diff. 2020. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-246612-3_566Balbuena F.Sabina Spielrein: From being a psychiatric patient to becoming an analyst herself.Am J Psychoanal. 2020;80:281-308. doi:10.1057/s11231-020-09260-0American Psychological Association.Hysteria.De Bustos E, Galli S, Haffen E, Moulin T.Clinical manifestations of hysteria: An epistemological perspective or how historical dynamics illuminate current practice.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:28-43. doi:10.1159/000360436National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.Cleveland Clinic.Somatic symptoms disorder in adults.Bartholomew RE, Wessely S, Rubin GJ.Mass psychogenic illness and the social network: is it changing the pattern of outbreaks?.J R Soc Med. 2012;105(12):509-512. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.120053Kurlansik S, Maffei M.Somatic symptom disorder.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Jan 1;93(1):49-54A.

Tasca C, Rapetti M, Carta MG, Fadda B.Women and hysteria in the history of mental health.Clin Pract Epidemiol Ment Health. 2012;8:110–119. doi:10.2174/1745017901208010110

Shetty S, Chandini S, Fernandes S, Safeekh A.Hysteria: A historical perspective.Arch Med Health Sci. 2020;8(2):312-5. doi:10.4103/amhs.amhs_220_20

Britannica.Conversion disorder.

Arraez-Aybar L, Navia-Alvarez P, Fuentes-Redondo T, Bueno-Lopez J.Thomas Willis, a pioneer in translational research in anatomy (on the 350th anniversary ofCerebri anatome).J Anat. 2015;226(3):289-300. doi:10.1111/joa.12273

Baloh RW.Early Ideas on Hysteria. In: Medically Unexplained Symptoms. Copernicus, Cham: 2021. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-59181-6_2

Lafrance WC.‘Hysteria’ today and tomorrow.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:198-204. doi:10.1159/000360064

North C.The classification of hysteria and related disorders: Historical and phenomenological considerations.Behav Sci. 2015;5(4):496-517. doi:10.3390/bs5040496

Carota A, Calabrese P.Hysteria around the world.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:169-180. doi:10.1159/000360062

Tsuman L.Anna O.Encycloped Personal Indiv Diff. 2020. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-246612-3_566

Balbuena F.Sabina Spielrein: From being a psychiatric patient to becoming an analyst herself.Am J Psychoanal. 2020;80:281-308. doi:10.1057/s11231-020-09260-0

American Psychological Association.Hysteria.

De Bustos E, Galli S, Haffen E, Moulin T.Clinical manifestations of hysteria: An epistemological perspective or how historical dynamics illuminate current practice.Front Neurol Neurosci. 2014;35:28-43. doi:10.1159/000360436

National Alliance on Mental Illness.Dissociative disorders.

Cleveland Clinic.Somatic symptoms disorder in adults.

Bartholomew RE, Wessely S, Rubin GJ.Mass psychogenic illness and the social network: is it changing the pattern of outbreaks?.J R Soc Med. 2012;105(12):509-512. doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.120053

Kurlansik S, Maffei M.Somatic symptom disorder.Am Fam Physician. 2016 Jan 1;93(1):49-54A.

American Psychiatric Association.Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders(DSM—5TR).

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