Hysteria

Causes of hysteria

The exact causes of hysteria, or histrionic personality disorder (HPD), are unclear due to a lack of research however physiological, developmental, cognitive and social factors are all probable triggers.

Studies have shown that someone with the disorder may have abnormal function of the impulses which dictate behaviour, this leads to excessive emotional reactions (particularly to rejection). Other theories point toward psychosexual development during childhood and the disapproval of the early mother-child relationship.

Hysteria may also be a defence mechanism used as a way to cope with conflict. Sigmund Freud theorised that patients with severe histrionic personality disorder use repression, denial and dissociation to cope and then rationalise their excessive behaviour to appear normal.

Social and cultural factors may also play in a part in the disorder particularly when the individual is raised among cultures that value uninhibited emotional displays.

Symptoms of hysteria

There are common symptoms which are displayed by someone with histrionic personality disorder:

• Attention seeking – people with HPD feel uncomfortable when not the centre of attention.
• Sexual seductiveness – displaying inappropriate and provocative sexual behaviour toward others.
• Shifting emotions – shallow emotional expression that tend to shift rapidly
• Appearance – someone with HPD will use their physical appearance to gain attention.
• Speech – people with HPD will generalise and avoid going into detail as a way to impress and please others.
• Dramatic behaviour – exaggeration of emotions and self-dramatising behaviour
• Easily suggestible – other people or situations can easily influence someone who has HPD
• Overestimating intimacy – people with HPD will overestimate intimacy within a relationship.

Diagnosis of hysteria

As a personality disorder, a diagnosis of HPD will be made by a mental health specialist. If you, or someone you know, may be suffering with hysteria then in the first instance visit your GP for an initial assessment. The GP will then arrange a referral to the necessary specialist.

Related Terms

• Conversion
• Somatisation
• Emotional
• Self-centred
• Neurological
• Behaviour