Mass Hysteria: Frequent Occurrences in Zimbabwean Schools
Mass hysteria is a phenomenon where a group of people share unusual and uncharacteristic behaviors, thoughts, feelings, or health symptoms, often triggered by a perceived threat or stressor.
Types of mass hysteria
Mass hysteria can be classified into two types: mass anxiety hysteria and mass motor hysteria.
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Mass anxiety hysteria involves sudden and intense emotional reactions, such as screaming, fainting, or laughing hysterically. Mass motor hysteria involves involuntary movements, such as twitching, jerking, or convulsing.
Differentiating between real and fake symptoms in mass hysteria
There are several key factors to consider:
Consistency and Pattern
Real symptoms tend to follow a consistent pattern and progression. They may be similar across affected individuals. In contrast, fake symptoms may be more random, exaggerated, or inconsistent.
Physical Examination
A thorough physical examination by a medical professional can help identify genuine physical signs. For example, muscle weakness, tremors, or abnormal reflexes may indicate real symptoms.
Objective Measurements
Use objective measurements such as heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature. Real symptoms are likely to show measurable changes, while fake symptoms may not.
Psychological Assessment
Evaluate the psychological state of the affected individuals. Genuine symptoms may be associated with anxiety, stress, or trauma. Fake symptoms may lack emotional distress.
Mass Hysteria: Frequent Occurrences in Zimbabwean Schools
Response to Treatment
Observe how symptoms respond to treatment. Real symptoms usually improve with appropriate interventions. Fake symptoms may persist or worsen.
Social Context
Consider the social context. Mass hysteria often occurs in groups, influenced by shared beliefs, rumors, or fear. If symptoms spread rapidly within a community, it may indicate mass hysteria.
History and Background
Investigate any previous incidents of mass hysteria in the same community or similar settings. A recurring pattern suggests a psychological basis.
Exclusion of Organic Causes
Rule out organic causes (e.g., infections, toxins, neurological conditions) through medical tests. If no physical basis is found, consider psychological factors.
Signs and Symptoms of mass hysteria
Remember that mass hysteria is complex and multifaceted. A collaborative approach involving medical professionals, psychologists, and sociologists is essential for accurate differentiation.
Causes of mass hysteria
Mass hysteria usually spreads verbally and visually through social media, word-of-mouth, or imitation¹. People who witness or hear about someone with symptoms may start experiencing them themselves.
Mass hysteria can have various causes, such as psychological factors (e.g., fear of contagion, suggestion, role-playing), social factors (e.g., peer pressure, conformity), environmental factors (e.g., noise, crowd), or physical factors (e.g., heat stroke, hypoglycemia).
Treatment of mass hysteria
Mass hysteria can have serious consequences for the individuals involved and the society at large. It can cause physical harm, psychological distress, social disruption, economic loss, legal liability, and public health risks.
Mass hysteria can be treated by identifying and removing the source of stress or threat that triggers it. It can also be treated by providing psychological support to the affected individuals and groups. In some cases, medication may be used to control specific symptoms.
Mass Hysteria: Frequent Occurrences in Zimbabwean Schools
Famous cases of mass hysteria
There have been many famous cases of mass hysteria throughout history, some of which are:
The Dancing Plague of 1518
A case of dancing mania that occurred in Strasbourg, Alsace (then part of the Holy Roman Empire) in July 1518 wherein numerous people took to dancing for days.
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The Irish Fright (1688)
In England and parts of Wales in December 1688 during the Glorious Revolution, false reports that Irish soldiers were burning and massacring English towns prompted a mass panic in at least 19 counties, with thousands of people arming themselves and preparing to resist non-existent groups of marauding Irishmen.
The Salem Witch Trials (1692−1693)
In colonial Massachusetts, adolescent girls Abigail Williams, Betty Parris, Ann Putnam Jr., and Elizabeth Hubbard began to have fits that were described by a minister as “beyond the power of epileptic fits or natural disease to effect.”
The events resulted in the Salem witch trials, a series of hearings which resulted in the execution of 20 citizens and the death of five other citizens of Salem Village, Massachusetts (present day Danvers, Massachusetts) and nearby towns who were accused of practicing witchcraft.
The Würzburg Convent Affair (1749)
An outbreak of screaming, squirming, and trance in a nunnery led to the execution of a suspected witch. The incident was investigated by several scientists who concluded that it was caused by mass hysteria.
The Mad Gasser of Mattoon (1940s)
A mysterious gas leak that affected hundreds of residents in Mattoon, Illinois. Some people reported feeling dizzy, nauseous, or having seizures after inhaling the gas. Others claimed to see strange creatures or hear voices. The cause was never conclusively determined.
The Ghost Rockets (1946)
German, British and Scandinavian intelligence officials concluded that the Ghost rockets which were reported over Scandinavia are a case of mass hysteria (among other conclusions).
The Kosovo Student Poisoning (1990)
Thousands of ethnic Albanians experienced symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and fainting without any toxicological evidence. Some suspected that it was caused by food poisoning from contaminated water or bread. Others believed that it was a deliberate act by Serbian forces to intimidate or harm them.
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These are just some examples of mass hysteria cases that have puzzled researchers and historians for centuries.
Treatment of mass hysteria
Mass hysteria can have serious consequences for the individuals involved and the society at large. It can cause physical harm, psychological distress, social disruption, economic loss, legal liability, and public health risks.
Mass hysteria can be treated by identifying and removing the source of stress or threat that triggers it.
It can also be treated by providing psychological support to the affected individuals and groups. In some cases, medication may be used to control specific symptoms.
