HYSTEROCATALEPSY Meaning and
Definition
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Hysterocatalepsy refers to a condition characterized by a sudden and temporary loss of motor functions, typically occurring in women. The term is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "hystera" meaning uterus and "katalepsis" meaning seizure or suspension. The condition was originally believed to be linked to the uterus and was considered a form of hysteria.
During an episode of hysterocatalepsy, a person may experience a complete paralysis of their voluntary muscles. This can result in a rigid and immobile state, often described as "cataleptic stupor." The individual may appear unconscious or unresponsive but remains aware of their surroundings. These episodes tend to be of short duration, usually lasting a few minutes to a few hours.
Hysterocatalepsy is considered a psychogenic disorder, meaning it is thought to have psychological rather than physiological causes. It is often associated with emotional or mental stress, and there may be a heightened susceptibility in individuals with a history of hysteria or other related disorders.
Although the exact mechanism of hysterocatalepsy is not fully understood, it is hypothesized to involve a disruption in the brain's communication with the muscles, resulting in temporary paralysis. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying psychological factors through psychotherapy, stress management techniques, and sometimes medication to manage associated symptoms.
Overall, hysterocatalepsy is a rare condition that presents as temporary loss of motor functions, predominantly occurring in women and often linked to psychological factors.
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Major hysteria with cataleptic manifestations.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYSTEROCATALEPSY
- gysterocatalepsy
- bysterocatalepsy
- nysterocatalepsy
- jysterocatalepsy
- uysterocatalepsy
- yysterocatalepsy
- htsterocatalepsy
- hgsterocatalepsy
- hhsterocatalepsy
- husterocatalepsy
- h7sterocatalepsy
- h6sterocatalepsy
- hyaterocatalepsy
- hyzterocatalepsy
- hyxterocatalepsy
- hydterocatalepsy
- hyeterocatalepsy
- hywterocatalepsy
- hysrerocatalepsy
Etymology of HYSTEROCATALEPSY
The word "hysterocatalepsy" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "hystera" (ὑστέρα) and "katalepsis" (κατάληψις).
- "Hystera" (ὑστέρα) means "womb" or "uterus" in Greek. It is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *udtero-, which also gave rise to the English word "uterus" as well as other related terms in different languages.
- "Katalepsis" (κατάληψις) means "seizure" or "grasping" in Greek.
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