hysteria

(his-ter′ē-ă)

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(his-tēr′ē-ă )
[hyster(ic) + -ia]
An obsolete, now pejorative term used in popular speech to mean a conversion reaction or a widely fluctuating expression of emotions.

NOTE
Currently accepted nomenclature for mental disorders does not include the term hysteria; it is included here for historical reasons.
SEE: mass psychogenic illness; SEE: somatization disorder

SYMPTOMS
Symptoms include emotional instability, sensory disturbances, loss of motor function, or other disorders.

ETIOLOGY
It may be related to emotional or physical stress.

TREATMENT
Rest and reassurance are cornerstones of management.

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