MASS HYSTERIA - ONE SYNDROME OR 2

Background. It has been suggested that mass hysteria can be divided in to two syndromes; one with predominant features of anxiety and the oth er with predominant abnormalities of motor behaviour. In the former co ndition, prior tension is absent and spread is by visual contact. In t he latter, prior tension is present, initial cases can be identified a nd spread is gradual. Method. The development and resolution of neurol ogical symptoms in 156 Nigerian school girls were studied and a diagno sis of 'mass hysteria' made. Results. The signs and symptoms manifeste d by the school girls during the outbreak of illness had features of b oth 'anxiety' and 'motor' predominant forms of mass hysteria. Conclusi ons. Although there may be two patterns of symptom presentation in mas s hysteria, other supposedly discrete features overlap. This weakens t he argument that there are two separate syndromes.