hysteria

[hi-ster-ee-uh, -steer-]

noun

1. an uncontrollable outburst of emotion or fear, often characterized by irrationality, laughter, weeping, etc.

2. Psychoanalysis.,  a psychoneurotic disorder characterized by violent emotional outbreaks, disturbances of sensory and motor functions, and various abnormal effects due to autosuggestion.

3. Psychiatry.,  conversion disorder.

hysteria

/ hɪˈstɪərɪə /

noun

1. a mental disorder characterized by emotional outbursts, susceptibility to autosuggestion, and, often, symptoms such as paralysis that mimic the effects of physical disorders See also conversion disorder

2. any frenzied emotional state, esp of laughter or crying

hysteria

1. A complex neurosis in which psychological conflict is turned into physical symptoms, such as amnesia, blindness, and paralysis, that have no underlying physical cause. Early in his career, Sigmund Freud worked on hysteria.

Other Word Forms

• subhysteria noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteria¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; hyster(ic) + -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of hysteria¹

C19: from New Latin, from Latin hystericus _hysteric

Example Sentences

This led to hysteria, with fans attacking the barriers, shouting and pleading that they were disabled and needed to leave.

From BBC

But at the height of anti-communist hysteria, real estate interests, seeing their profits threatened by public housing, launch a successful campaign against it, financing opposition groups that call it “socialist housing.”

From Los Angeles Times

"There are moments that feel incredibly heightened - you're out of breath, facing elements of hysteria - but it's brilliant."

From BBC

She talked me down from my hysteria, and somehow, like cat people can, convinced me to honor my commitment.

From Los Angeles Times

The imperfect protagonist of “The Crucible” takes a heroic stand against the mass hysteria that is turning his Salem neighbors viciously against one another.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• agitation 
• delirium 
• excitement 
• frenzy 
• madness 
• nervousness 
• panic