What is Hysteria: Definition & Meaning in World Dictionaries
Hysteria as a noun refers to an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, crying, or anger. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “exaggerated or uncontrollable emotion or excitement, especially among a group of people.” This definition has shifted considerably from its historical roots, where the word carried explicit gendered and pathological connotations.
It is a term with a complex and often controversial history. This psychological condition, primarily associated with women, has undergone dramatic shifts in how it is defined. As we browse through the evolution of this word’s meaning, we discover a fascinating intersection of gender, psychology, and cultural attitudes about emotional expression.
Quiz: Have You Ever Suffered From the Following?
A 19th Century Physician’s Diagnostic Questionnaire for Hysteria
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Symptom or Behavior |
Yes |
No |
|---|---|---|
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Tendency to express strong opinions in mixed company |
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Desire to pursue education beyond basic reading and writing |
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Frequent headaches or migraines |
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Emotional outbursts (crying, laughing) without clear cause |
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Fatigue or exhaustion without physical exertion |
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Loss of appetite or excessive appetite |
□ |
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Interest in voting rights or political matters |
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Feelings of suffocation or “globus hystericus” (lump in throat) |
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Expressing dissatisfaction with domestic duties |
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Pain during marital relations |
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Reading novels or sensational literature |
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Temporary paralysis or inability to use limbs |
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Resistance to husband’s or father’s decisions |
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Fainting spells |
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Irregular menstrual cycle |
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Disturbed sleep or insomnia |
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Desire to wear comfortable rather than fashionable clothing |
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Digestive complaints without clear physical cause |
□ |
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Expressing feelings of anger or frustration openly |
□ |
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Nervousness or anxiety in social situations |
□ |
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Diagnostic Assessment
1-3 “Yes” responses: Mild hysteric tendencies. Recommended treatments: Regular outdoor walks (always accompanied), reduced reading time, and cold baths.
4-7 “Yes” responses: Moderate hysteria. Recommended treatments: All of the above plus bed rest, restricted social engagements, and possibly light electrical stimulation of affected areas.
8-12 “Yes” responses: Severe hysteria. Recommended treatments: Complete bed rest, minimal intellectual stimulation, possible uterine massage by a physician, and consideration of hydrotherapy treatments.
13+ “Yes” responses: Acute hysteria. Recommended treatments: Immediate hospitalization, isolation from family influences, possible surgical intervention (hysterectomy) may be considered in extreme cases.
Note: This questionnaire reflects 19th century medical beliefs that are now recognized as deeply flawed, sexist, and harmful. It is presented for historical education purposes only.
Word History and Etymology
The history reveals much about attitudes toward women’s health throughout western civilization. The term derives from the Greek word “hystera,” meaning uterus. Ancient Greek physicians, including Hippocrates, believed that it was caused by the movement of the uterus throughout a woman’s body – a “wandering womb” that created physical and mental disturbances.
This etymology connects this word directly to female anatomy, highlighting how medical and psychological conditions were once explicitly gendered. Until the late 19th century, literary resources associated it as a condition specific to women, stemming from uterine dysfunction.
Use in Medical History
By the 1800s, hysteria had evolved into a catch-all diagnosis for women experiencing a wide range of symptoms. French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot played a critical role in redefining it as a neurological disorder rather than a condition of the uterus. His work at the Salpêtrière Hospital in Paris documented the physical symptoms of hysteria, including paralysis, convulsions, and sensory disturbances.
Building on Charcot’s foundation, Sigmund Freud’s work further transformed the understanding. In his groundbreaking “Studies on Hysteria” (1895), co-authored with Josef Breuer, Freud proposed that hysteria resulted from repressed memories of childhood trauma, often of a sexual nature. This psychoanalytic approach permanently altered how the condition would be written about.
Examples of Hysteria used in Context
When we examine examples in different contexts, we can better understand its various applications:
- Mass hysteria: “The town fell into hysteria following rumors of contaminated water.”
- Individual emotional states: “After receiving the news, she collapsed in hysteria, unable to speak coherently.”
- Cultural phenomena: “The arrival of the band caused hysteria among the teenage fans.”
- Historical medical diagnoses: “In the Victorian era, women displaying independence were often diagnosed with hysteria.”
These example sentences demonstrate how the term can be applied to both individuals and groups, with varying degrees of severity and implications.
Synonyms and Related Terms
When seeking a synonym for hysteria, we might encounter terms like:
- Frenzy
- Panic
- Mania
- Irrationality
- Delirium
Each of these alternatives carries slightly different connotations but shares the core meaning of extreme emotional disturbance or irrationality.
Hysteria as a Psychological Condition in 2025
While “hysteria” is no longer recognized as a formal diagnosis in 2025, its legacy continues in several modern psychological conditions. What was once broadly labeled has been replaced with more specific and less gendered diagnoses, including:
- Conversion disorder
- Somatic symptom disorder
- Dissociative disorders
- Panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
Modern dictionaries reflect this evolution, often noting that as a medical term it is now considered outdated and potentially offensive due to its historical use in dismissing women’s legitimate physical and emotional concerns.
Hysteria in Modern Culture
The meaning continues to evolve in contemporary usage. Today, the term is frequently employed metaphorically to describe:
- Extreme public reactions to events
- Overblown media events
- Exaggerated emotional responses
However, many mental health professionals and advocates caution against casual use of the term given its problematic history and potential to trivialize genuine emotional distress.
The Harm in the Word
The term “hysteria” has systematically harmed women for centuries. Derived from the Greek word for “uterus,” it weaponized female biology to dismiss women as inherently unstable. Women who showed independence, intelligence, or challenged authority were labeled “hysterical” – a diagnosis that justified horrific “treatments” including institutionalization and invasive procedures.
This legacy persists in modern healthcare where women’s pain is frequently dismissed as psychological rather than physical. The stereotype of the “hysterical woman” continues to undermine women’s credibility, with assertiveness labeled as “emotional” in women but “authoritative” in men – reinforcing barriers to women’s full participation in society.
Why was hysteria primarily diagnosed in women throughout history?
Hysteria was explicitly linked to female biology (the Greek word “hystera” means uterus) and was used as a tool for controlling women’s behavior and maintaining patriarchal social structures. Women who challenged social norms—by seeking education, expressing opinions, or desiring independence—were often labeled “hysterical,” effectively pathologizing normal behavior and aspirations.
How did treatments for hysteria change over time?
Treatments evolved from ancient remedies like aromatic substances to “correct” the “wandering womb,” to Victorian-era practices including rest cures, water therapies, and manual stimulation. By the early 20th century, talking therapies influenced by psychoanalysis became more common. Each approach reflected the social attitudes and medical knowledge of its time, though most were ineffective and many were harmful.
How to cite this article
Main points:
- The historical overview of hysteria’s definition and evolution
- The etymological connection between hysteria and the uterus
- The summary of how hysteria diagnoses harmed women
- The representation of 19th century diagnostic criteria for hysteria
APA Format:
On the Shoulders of Medusa. (2025). What is hysteria: Definition & meaning in world dictionaries. https://www.ontheshouldersofmedusa.org/blog/what-is-hysteria-definition
References and Further Reading
Primary Sources
Breuer, J., & Freud, S. (1895). Studien über Hysterie. Franz Deuticke.
Charcot, J.M. (1887-1889). Leçons sur les maladies du système nerveux faites à la Salpêtrière [Lectures on the diseases of the nervous system delivered at La Salpêtrière]. A. Delahaye et E. Lecrosnier.
Freud, S. (1896). Zur Ätiologie der Hysterie. Wiener klinische Rundschau, 10, 379-381, 395-397, 413-415, 432-433, 450-452.
Secondary Sources
Showalter, E. (1987). The Female Malady: Women, Madness, and English Culture, 1830-1980. Virago Press.
Dictionaries and Reference Works
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.). American Psychiatric Publishing.
Oxford English Dictionary. (2024). “Hysteria, n.” OED Online. Oxford University Press.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. (2024). “Hysteria.” Wolters Kluwer Health.
