From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mass hysteria — other names include
collective hysteria, Mass Psychogenic
Illness, or collective obsessional
behavior — is the sociopsychological phenomenon of the
manifestation of the same or similar hysterical symptoms by more than one person.[1][2]
A common manifestation of mass hysteria occurs when a group of
people believe they are suffering from a similar disease or ailment.[3]
Characteristics
Mass hysteria typically begins when an individual becomes ill or
hysterical during a period of stress.[4] After
this initial individual shows symptoms, others begin to manifest
similar symptoms, typically nausea, muscle weakness, fits or headache.[5]
The features of mass hysteria include no plausible cause found,
ambiguous symptoms, rapid escalation of cases - often spread by
line of sight - and rapid remission of symptoms. Demographically,
cases are higher in females and those with greater use of medical
services. Other factors that contribute to the severity of the
symptoms and spread are protective clothing worn
by emergency services and mistaken or misleading
investigations.
Sightings of religious miracles are often attributed to mass
hysteria.[3]
Specific
examples
In 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas, 34 people were
sent to the hospital after they complained about having symptoms
when they mistakenly thought they had been exposed to carbon
monoxide.[6]
In 2008 in Tanzania,
about 20 female school pupils began to faint in a schoolroom,
collapsing to the floor and losing consciousness, while others
after witnessing this sobbed, yelled and ran around the school. A
local education officer was quoted in news reports saying that such
events are "very common here".[2]
See also
References
- ^ Bartholomew, Robert E.; Wessely, Simon
(2002). "Protean nature of mass
sociogenic illness: From possessed nuns to chemical and biological
terrorism fears". British Journal of Psychiatry (Royal
College of Psychiatrists) 180: 300-306. http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/content/full/180/4/300.
"Mass sociogenic illness mirrors prominent social concerns,
changing in relation to context and circumstance. Prior to 1900,
reports are dominated by episodes of motor symptoms typified by
dissociation, histrionics and psychomotor agitation incubated in an
environment of preexisting tension. Twentieth-century reports
feature anxiety symptoms that are triggered by sudden exposure to
an anxiety-generating agent, most commonly an innocuous odour or
food poisoning rumours. From the early 1980s to the present there
has been an increasing presence of chemical and biological
terrorism themes, climaxing in a sudden shift since the 11
September 2001 terrorist attacks in the USA.".
- ^ a
b
Waller, John (18 September 2008). "Falling down". The
Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2008/sep/18/psychology.
"The recent outbreak of fainting in a school in Tanzania bears all
the hallmarks of mass hysteria, says John Waller. But what causes
it and why is it still happening around the world
today?"
- ^ a
b
Mass Delusions and Hysterias /
Highlights from the Past Millennium (Skeptical Inquirer May
2000)
- ^
Doubts raised over Melbourne
airport scare. 27/04/2005. ABC News Online
- ^
ACSH > Health Issues
>
- ^
Perfume sets off events in
Fort Worth that put 34 in hospitals, Star-Telegram,
July 29, 2009
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