MAJOR HYSTERIA Meaning and
Definition
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Major hysteria refers to a phenomenon characterized by the widespread occurrence of intense, highly contagious emotional or psychological disturbances within a large group or community. This term is often used in a sociological, psychological, or anthropological context to describe instances where a significant number of individuals experience similar symptoms without a clear organic cause. Often, major hysteria arises from collective anxieties, fears, or beliefs that permeate a community and result in a shared psychological response.
During major hysteria episodes, individuals within the affected group may simultaneously display symptoms such as fainting, uncontrolled screaming, convulsions, or other forms of non-specific psychosomatic reactions. The symptoms exhibited in major hysteria are typically transient and non-predictable, meaning they may appear and disappear spontaneously and affect different individuals at different times. These episodes can be highly disruptive to the social fabric of a community, leading to public panic, unrest, or even temporary shutdowns of certain public or private activities.
The causes of major hysteria are complex and multifactorial, often involving a combination of psychological, social, and cultural factors. Societal tensions, repressed emotions, social inequalities, or shared beliefs and expectations can contribute to the amplification and propagation of major hysteria. In some instances, major hysteria may be triggered by actual physical ailments or environmental factors, but the symptoms displayed are often disproportionate to the cause, indicating the strong influence of psychological and psychosocial factors.
Understanding major hysteria requires a multidisciplinary approach, encompassing psychological, sociological, cultural, and historical perspectives. Analyzing these episodes can provide valuable insights into how collective anxieties and societal factors can shape individual behavior and social dynamics.
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A form of h. in which there may be permanent paralysis, anesthesia, or contractures with well marked stigmata, and in which convulsive or violent emotional attacks may occur; hysteroepilepsy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MAJOR HYSTERIA
- najor hysteria
- kajor hysteria
- jajor hysteria
- mzjor hysteria
- msjor hysteria
- mwjor hysteria
- mqjor hysteria
- mahor hysteria
- manor hysteria
- mamor hysteria
- makor hysteria
- maior hysteria
- mauor hysteria
- majir hysteria
- majkr hysteria
- majlr hysteria
- majpr hysteria
- maj0r hysteria
- maj9r hysteria
- majoe hysteria
Etymology of MAJOR HYSTERIA
The term "major hysteria" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two separate words: "major" and "hysteria". However, the origins of these words individually can shed light on their meanings and usage.
1. Major: The word "major" comes from the Latin word "major" meaning "greater" or "larger". The Latin word is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*meg-", which means "great" or "big". In English, "major" is commonly used to denote something of greater importance, significance, or size. It is also used to describe a higher rank in the military or in academic degrees.
2. Hysteria: The word "hysteria" is derived from the ancient Greek word "hystéra", meaning "womb".
