What is the Meaning of Hysteria | Definition and What is Hysteria
Hysteria is a term of French origin, although its most distant origins to the Greek language. Hysteria is defined as a chronic nervous disease that is more common in women than men and is characterised by a wide variety of functional symptoms. However, at the present time, the medicine does not use this term.
Hysteria is a psychological disorder that is part of the neuroses and Somatization disorders. This means that the hysterical patient presents physical and psychological symptoms without organic origin, often developed for unconscious reasons.
Palpitations, abdominal pain and convulsions are some of the effects of hysteria. Hypochondriasis, somatization, dissociative amnesia and depersonalization are also associated with hysterical disorders.
During a long time, and until the end of the 19th century, hysteria was associated with an ailment suspected female sexuality-related. Doctors dealt with apparently sick women doing massages to the clitoris or recommending the use of vibrators because they attributed this evil to what the Greeks called "burning uterus.
These practices are no longer part of the medicine and it is considered that hysterical symptoms both among women than among men. Today, the hysteria is considered to be a temporary state of nervous excitement produced by an abnormal situation or out of the ordinary. Examples: "the arrival of the Mexican singer triggered hysteria of fans', 'I do not like the hysteria that arises around actors'.