Hysteria is a psychological disorder that arises due to anxiety. A person does not have control over acts and emotions. There are sudden episodes of unconsciousness and emotion disturbances. It occurs in both men and women, but it is more common in young women. It is more commonly seen in young women due to hormonal changes that take place rapidly in their body during this period. If a person experiences an episode of hysteria, the family members should not panic and should remain calm. They should remain around the person but should not show any signs of anger. This will aggravate the condition of the patient and in a fit of rage a person can produce bodily harm to oneself or to the others. Therefore, family members have to remain very cautious with the people who suffer from hysterical attacks.
In psychology, there are two types of hysteria: Dissociative disorders and somatoform disorders. Dissociative disorders are more concerned with the psychological causes of hysteria. When there is loss of memory, loss of identity, consciousness, it may result in dissociative disorders.
In somatoform disorders, there are more physical symptoms but any apparent physical cause is not present. The symptoms are similar to a particular disease.
Hysteria symptoms
There are many physical and mental symptoms of hysteria. Some of the common hysteria symptoms are given below:
Among the physical symptoms of hysteria the more common ones are: Snatching at clothes, grinding of teeth, tearing one’s hair, biting, crying, shouting, laughing, distorting facial expressions, pain in different parts of the body, fainting fits etc.
A person may also have heaviness of the extremities, cramps, difficult breathing, heaviness in the chest, headache, etc.
Psychological symptoms of hysteria includes the following: Excitation, fatigue, loss of memory, inferiority complex, sense of being defective, desires love, emotional instability, lack of intelligence etc.
In hysteria, a patient may feel pain in one or the other part of the body. He may feel encouraged to shout, sing, cry, and laugh, all without any reason. Emotional instability is the most important symptom. It is dangerous because it may cause depression due to which a person may take some unwanted step that may endanger his own life or life of the others.
Causes of hysteria
There are many different causes of hysteria. Some common causes of hysteria are described below:
- Severe emotional tension can result in episodes of hysteria. There are several problems of life such as extreme frustrations, disappointments, failures, play an important role in causing hysteria.
- Hysteria is peculiar to adolescence and young individuals suffer from this problem because they undergo many psychological and hormonal changes at this stage of life.
- Defective discipline in children can also cause hysteria. Whenever discipline is more extreme or less effective than it can ideally be, there is an unbalanced development of self control.
- It is believed by some physicians that the tendency of hysteria is a hereditary defect.
- Lack of intelligence is also believed to be one of the causes of hysteria.
- When a person is unable to adjust with the circumstances, he/she may suffer from episodes of hysteria. It may create a feeling of insecurity and inferiority complex.
- Sexual dissatisfaction is also considered to be one of the most important causes of hysteria in young individuals.
Home remedies for hysteria
Hysteria can be treated easily at home by using home remedies. Home remedies for hysteria are safe and may be regularly given to the person to get rid of recurrent episodes of hysteria. Some useful home remedies for hysteria are:
Blackberry fruit is an important remedy for hysteria. Take a jug and fill it with water. Add about three kg of blackberry fruit and a handful of salt in this jug. Keep this jug outside in the sun for seven days. Anyone suffering from hysteria should eat about 300gms of blackberry fruit empty stomach and should also drink a glass of water from the jug. It should be taken for two weeks to get most effective results.
People suffering from hysteria should eat one teaspoon of honey every day.
When a person gets an attack of hysteria, apply mashed pulp of bottle gourd on the head of the affected person. It gives immediate relief as bottle gourd is soothing and calms the brain.
Take one cup of lettuce juice and mix one teaspoon of amla juice. Drink it daily in the morning to get rid of recurrent episodes of hysteria. This remedy should be taken regularly for one month.
Asafoetida is also a useful home remedy for the treatment of hysteria. Smell of this herb provides relief and prevents recurrent attacks. It can be taken daily orally with water. It relaxes the brain and balances the hormones.
People suffering from hysteria should eat more fruits and green leafy vegetables. Fruits such as oranges, apples, grapes, papaya, pineapples boost up the immunity and prevent the recurrent attacks of hysteria.
Milk is also an important part of diet for people suffering from hysteria. Milk may be taken along with seeds, nuts and grains. It further boosts up the immunity and gives peace of mind.
Habit forming substances such as tea, coffee, alcohol, processed foods, should be completely avoided. These foods make the brain dull and there are more chances of getting attacks of hysteria.
The patient should try to remain busy in various activities. Diversion of mind in useful activities will also help to prevent the attacks of hysteria. Such patients should be give good company by the family members.
Exercise also helps in relaxing the mind. It is important to indulge such people in physical activity so that they may get tired and can sleep easily. Meditation is also an effective way of relaxing the brain. Meditation helps in reducing the panic attacks.
Yoga is very useful for people suffering from hysteric attacks. Useful asana for hysteric people are matsyasana, halasana, bhujangasana, etc. yoga helps in physical and mental relaxation. It is a wonderful way of reducing the attacks of hysteria.