Hysteria

The original annotation of the term hysteria is "disease of the mind," also known as hysterical neurosis, and it is a relatively common psychiatric disorder. The manifestations of hysteria are diverse, but the pathogenic mechanisms share common features. The main symptoms appear immediately following the emergence of psychological and social stress factors, with acute onset and an episodic course. Symptoms may be induced, aggravated, alleviated, or eliminated by suggestion, and their appearance or persistence is related to escaping from difficulties or "secondary gain."