Instead, the symptoms stem from psychological causes.
This article will go over what mass hysteria is, what causes it, and examples of mass hysteria.
What Is Mass Hysteria?
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Mass hysteria is also called epidemic hysteria, mass psychogenic illness, and mass sociogenic illness.
Several factors are thought to contribute to the phenomenon, including groupthink, stress, and social pressure.
Some psychologists believe that mass hysteria is a form of groupthink.
In cases of mass hysteria, group members all develop a common fear that can spiral into a panic.
Signs of Mass Hysteria
Mass hysteria occurs in groups of people.
Mass hysteria is difficult to identify as it is happening.
Then, a few people fall ill with similar symptoms, like a headache and dizziness.
Stress
Experiencing extremestressor trauma may also play a role in causing mass hysteria.
When people are subjected to collective trauma, they may begin to experience psychogenic symptoms.
Social Pressure
Social pressure may also play a part in feeling symptoms related to mass hysteria.
Social pressure is a major component of this phenomenon.
Examples of Mass Hysteria
Mass hysteria events have occurred throughout history.
A well-known one was in Strasbourg in 1518.
Some people danced themselves to death.
Soon, the emotions spread to at least 1,000 people and went on for over a year.
Schools even had to close because the students were laughing and crying nonstop for days on end.
An article published inAmerican Ethnologistcriticized the diagnosis as well.
Does Social Media Create Mass Hysteria?
Social media may play a role in perpetuating mass hysteria today.
However, more research is needed to understand how social media may contribute to mass hysteria.
It can also create disruptions in people’s lives or prompt attempts to remove non-existent poisons or toxins.
Mass hysteria can also cause psychological distress.
It can be extremely upsetting to have unexplained symptoms, particularly when no underlying cause can be found.
The source of the symptoms must be investigated, and people need to be treated for their unexplained symptoms.
It is usually noticed only in retrospect, which makes it difficult to stop once it has started.
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