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Learn the meaning, synonyms, examples, and history of the word hysterical, which can describe extreme emotion, humor, or hysteria. Find out how to use hysterical in a sentence and how it differs from irony.
Learn the definition of hysterical as an adjective to describe someone who is extremely emotional or funny. See synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples from the Cambridge Dictionary.
adjective. uncontrollably emotional. irrational from fear, emotion, or an emotional shock. causing unrestrained laughter; very funny: Oh, that joke is hysterical! Synonyms: ludicrous, laughable, uproarious, hilarious. Psychoanalysis, Psychiatry. of, relating to, or characterized by hysteria: hysterical psychosis.
- 2 min
- What Is Hysteria?
- History of Hysteria
- Symptoms of Hysteria
- Diagnosis of Hysteria
- Causes of Hysteria
- Treatment for Hysteria
- Coping With Hysteria
Hysteria is a term often used to describe emotionally charged behavior that seems excessive and out of control. When someone responds in a way that seems disproportionately emotional for the situation, they are often described as being "hysterical."
During the Victorian era, the term hysteria was a common medical diagnosis, especially for women. It wasn't removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) until 1980. Today, people exhibiting hysterical symptoms might be diagnosed with a dissociative or somatic disorder.
Hysteria was viewed as a psychological disorder as far back as 1900 BCE. This is when ancient Egyptians first described the condition, adding that it was caused by "spontaneous uterus movement." This was also sometimes referred to as having a wandering uterus.
The word hysteria comes from the Greek hystera, which means "uterus."
To treat hysteria, Egyptians would place bad-smelling or other scented substances near the female's vulva or face, depending on whether the uterus was thought to move up or down. The Greek physician Celsus suggested that both virginity and abstinence helped cure hysteria.
The notion that this condition affected only females remained for quite some time. It wasn't until the early 1600s that the focus switched, such as when anatomist Thomas Willis concluded that hysteria did not originate in the uterus, but in the brain. This understanding opened the possibility that hysteria could affect men as well.
Symptoms that are considered characteristic of "hysteria" (now an outdated term) include:
•Blindness
•Emotional outbursts
•Hallucinations
•Histrionic behavior (being overly dramatic or excitable)
•Increased suggestibility
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders are psychological disorders that involve an interruption in aspects of consciousness, including those related to identity and memory. Disorders in this category include: Dissociative amnesia, which involves forgetting personal information or not being able to recall certain events Dissociative fugue, which involves forgetting personal information combined with changing physical locations, sometimes creating a new identity in the process Dissociative identity disorder, which involves having two or more distinct personalities, each with no memory of what the other has done
Somatic Symptom Disorder
In the DSM-5, symptoms that once existed under the broad umbrella of "hysteria" now fit under what is referred to as somatic symptom disorder. There are several related conditions that can be diagnosed within this category, including: Conversion disorder (functional neurological symptom disorder) Factitious disorder (Munchausen syndrome imposed on one's self) Illness anxiety disorder (formerly hypochondriasis) Somatic symptom disorder involves having a significant focus on physical symptoms such as weakness, pain, or shortness of breath. This preoccupation with symptoms results in significant distress and difficulties with normal functioning. With somatic symptom disorder, the person may or may not have a medical condition. It is important to note that the disorder does not involve faking an illness—whether the person is sick or not, they believe that they are ill.
Over time, the theories about what causes hysteria have changed. Although they originally focused on the uterus, we now know that the causes of both dissociative and somatic disorders are often psychological in nature.
Dissociative disorders are generally caused by experiencing some type of trauma. This might include being exposed to childhood abuse that is physical, sexual, or emotional. Being in a natural disaster or being involved in combat can also lead to a dissociative disorder.
Somatic symptom disorder can also be a result of childhood abuse or parental neglect but is also sometimes caused by having extreme anxiety about bodily processes and illness combined with a low threshold for pain.
A phenomenon known as hysterical contagion, a form of social contagion, can also lead groups of people to experience symptoms often associated with hysteria. This phenomenon involves groups of individuals having symptoms of illness that are attributed to a physical or contagious source, but that, in reality, stem from social and psychological influences.
Treating hysteria-like symptoms associated with dissociative and somatic symptoms disorders typically includes some type of psychotherapy. Common treatment approaches for these conditions include:
•Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
•Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)
•Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR)
•Mindfulness-based therapy
In some cases, medications may also be used to help reduce symptoms. For example, amitriptyline, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), and St. John's wort are known for effectively treating somatic symptom disorder.
If you or a loved one experience symptoms once associated with hysteria—such as having emotional outbursts, losing sensation, or having hallucinations—seeking the help of a mental health professional is a good step. In the meantime, here are a few tips to help you better cope:
•Practice mindfulness. Concentrate on the present instead of focusing on yesterday or tomorrow. This can help you stay grounded.
•Engage in breathing exercises. Relax your feelings of anxiety by breathing in and out in specific patterns.
•Write in a journal. Get your feelings out and on paper. Put the sources of your stress in black and white, then let them go.
•Get physically active. Go for a walk or hike, or take your bike for a ride around the neighborhood. Physical activity helps boost mental health while promoting physical health at the same time.
•Develop a consistent sleep schedule. Give your body the rest it needs to help it better deal with the symptoms and emotions you are experiencing.
- 2 min
The term hysterical, applied to an individual, can mean that they are emotional, irrationally upset, or frenzied. When applied to a situation not involving panic, hysteria means that that situation is uncontrollably amusing – the connotation being that it invokes hysterical laughter.
Hysterical comes from the medical Latin word hystericus, which described a female neurotic condition, thought to be caused by a dysfunction of the uterus. Hysterical is still used today by psychiatrists, though in a broader way, to describe someone suffering from a psychological stress condition.
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Learn the meaning of hysterical as an adjective for someone who cannot control their emotions or behaviour, or for something extremely funny. See translations, synonyms and usage examples of hysterical.
