Hysteria- Why the disorder affects students

Nov 23, 2008

EXAMINATIONS invigilators and teachers were shoked recently when over 130 pupils suddenly acted like they were possessed by demons. A the end, 21 of them missed their Primary Living Examinations.

By Arthur Baguma

EXAMINATIONS invigilators and teachers were shoked recently when over 130 pupils suddenly acted like they were possessed by demons. A the end, 21 of them missed their Primary Living Examinations.

As soon as the pupils entered the examination room, they started dancing, shaking their heads and raising their hands.

A similar incident had earlier been reported in a secondary school in Mityana after students lost a singing competition. A few days later, the students who were part of the drama group suddenly developed a jerking motion.

Medical experts termed the condition as mass hysteria. Dr David Basangwa, a consultant psychiatrist at Butabika hospital says mass hysteria is common in schools and it manifests in different symptoms.

“For instance the pupils’ may fail to walk or talk. They might develop a problem on one part of the body or even seem to have a vision problem.”

Basangwa says hysteria is a medical condition referred to as a conversion disorder. It is common among young people, especially the females.

Psychologists argue that hysteria is contagious; when one gets it, others can be affected too.

In many cases, a hysterical person loses control over his actions and emotions. This mental disorder is characterized by emotional outbursts, accompanied by unconsciousness.

The main cause of hysteria is mental stress, strain and anxiety.
Experts say hysteria causes a body reaction when one fails to cope with a certain situation.

Basangwa also says a hysterical person develops symptoms of a disease but with time they get over it.

Psychologists say, under stress and tension due to high expectations from both teachers and parents, hysteria can occur especially among school children.

If pupils are not prepared psychologically and physically for the exams, they may end up getting hysteria. People who are “hysterical” often lose self-control due to overwhelming fear.

Hysteria symptoms:
Severe cramps
Heaviness in the limbs
Difficulty in breathing
Headache
Suffocation
Neck and the jugular veins get swollen
Palpitation
Unconsciousness
Extremely fast heart beat
Violent movements
Clenched teeth

Common causes of hysteria:
Idleness
Stress
Sexual repression
Genetic factors
Emotional instability due to worry, depression, or prolonged illness

Treatment
Hysteria has no particular treatment and cannot kill. However, Basangwa advises that victims should be immediately isolated and a medical personnel called in to investigate so as to exclude other possible medical disorders.

After ruling out other possible disorders, then counselling should follow.

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