Conversion disorder, formerly called hysteria, a type of mental disorder in which a wide variety of sensory, motor, or psychic disturbances may occur.

The word hysteria originates from the Greek word for uterus, hystera. The Egyptians attributed the behavioral disturbances to a wandering uterus—thus later dubbing the condition hysteria.

Symptoms of hysteria included partial paralysis, hallucinations, and nervousness….Other symptoms often ascribed to hysteria include:

• Shortness of breath.
• Anxiety.
• Fainting.
• Nervousness.
• Insomnia.
• Sexual forwardness.
• Irritability.
• Agitation.

Surgical intervention should be kept to a minimum; medicines are given cautiously and controlled carefully. The treatment of choice is supportive psychotherapy which ignores physical symptoms and encourages the patient to change the method she uses of coping with her environment.

Such episodes fall under the blanket psychological term of “mass hysteria,” and here are a handful of examples.

• Salem Witch Trials (1692–93) This is one of the best-known incidents of mass hysteria.
• The Miracle of the Sun (Oct. 13, 1917)
• Halifax Slasher (1938)
• Tanzania laughter epidemic (1962)
• Sri Lanka (2012)

1 : feeling or showing extreme and uncontrolled emotion hysterical laughter …

Some psychologists believe mass hysteria is a form of groupthink. In cases of mass hysteria, the group members all develop a common fear that often spirals into a panic. The group members feed off each other’s emotional reactions, causing the panic to escalate.

Western females are also socialized to cope with stress differently than males. British psychiatrist Simon Wessely says that females are more likely to talk to each other about their symptoms, which can spread outbreaks. It is well-known that women are more likely to seek medical attention than men.

Female hysteria was once a common medical diagnosis for women, which was described as exhibiting a wide array of symptoms, including anxiety, shortness of breath, fainting, nervousness, sexual desire, insomnia, fluid retention, heaviness in the abdomen, irritability, loss of appetite for food or sex, (paradoxically) …

Female hysteria in the 18th century While the original notions of female hysteria extend far into the history of medicine and philosophy, this diagnostic became popular in the 18th century.

In the 5th century BC, Hippocrates (i.e., the founder of western medicine, in what may not go down as his greatest achievement) first coined the term “hysteria” — from “hystera,” or uterus — and also attributed its cause to abnormal movements of the womb in a woman’s body.

Hysteria is undoubtedly the first mental disorder attributable to women, accurately described in the second millennium BC, and until Freud considered an exclusively female disease. Over 4000 years of history, this disease was considered from two perspectives: scientific and demonological.

Hysterical blindness may be of sudden or gradual onset and affect one or both eyes. It may last from a few hours to several years and may be intermittent in character.

Conversion disorder is a mental condition in which a person has blindness, paralysis, or other nervous system (neurologic) symptoms that cannot be explained by medical evaluation.

Hysterical blindness is an outmoded term for a condition now designated as a form of conversion disorder.

Temporary paralysis often results from a genetic condition that leaves an individual susceptible to periods of paralysis after exposure to certain triggers. These triggers may include temperature fluctuations, extreme temperatures, stress, hunger, excitement, or traumatic experiences.

Some of the main causes of paralysis are: sudden weakness on one side of the face, with arm weakness or slurred speech – a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or “mini-stroke”) sudden weakness on one side of the face, with earache or face pain – Bell’s palsy.

Attacks can last anywhere from an hour to a day or two. Some people have weakness that changes from day to day. Later on, your muscles could become permanently weak and your symptoms could get more severe.

Paralysis is most often caused by strokes, usually from a blocked artery in your neck or brain. It also can be caused by damage to your brain or spinal cord, like what can happen in a car accident or sports injury.

How is paralysis treated?

• Physical therapy uses treatments such as heat, massage, and exercise to stimulate nerves and muscles.
• Occupational therapy concentrates on ways to perform activities of daily living.
• Mobility aids include manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters.

Best Foods that Help Stroke Recovery

1. Flaxseeds (Alpha-Linolenic Acid)
2. Salmon (EPA)
3. Blueberries (Flavonoids)
4. Pomegranate (Antioxidants)
5. Tomatoes (Lycopene)
6. Nuts and Seeds (Vitamin E)
7. Avocados (Oleic Acid)
8. Beans (Magnesium)

Because paralysis can affect different percentages of the body and different areas, experts classify the condition into four main types: monoplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia.

-Make the person lie on his/her left side (recovery position) with head and shoulders supported. -Loosen any tight clothing around his/her neck and calm the patient. -Try to maintain breathing, if needed with open mouth. -Do NOT make the person eat or drink anything.

Here are 11 things you can do to stay stroke-free:

1. Know and control your blood pressure.
2. Don’t smoke; stop if you do.
3. Lose weight if needed.
4. Become more active.
5. Identify and manage atrial fibrillation.
6. Be aggressive about treating a transient ischemic attack (TIA, or mini-stroke).

There can be many causes for paralysis but is often caused by strokes, usually from a blocked artery in your neck or brain. Some other common causes are nerve injury, poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Parkinson’s disease, spina bifida, peripheral neuropathy, ALS, botulism, and Guillain–Barré syndrome.