1.1Psychiatry A psychological disorder (not now regarded as a single definite condition) whose symptoms include conversion of psychological stress into physical symptoms (somatization), selective amnesia, shallow volatile emotions, and overdramatic or attention-seeking behavior. The term has a controversial history as it was formerly regarded as a disease specific to women.
‘They never talk about a disorder called hysteria, they talk about the womb wandering.’
‘Freud learned from Charcot that, in order to understand hysteria, he had to look to psychology rather than to neurology.’
‘When these types break down they tend to develop either hysteria or mania.’
‘Shock often manifests itself as conversion hysteria, where the mind causes the body to be incapacitated.’
‘Great to have your company today, where we're looking at contemporary cases of hysteria.’
Origin
Early 19th century from Latin hystericus (see hysteric).
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