Hysteria in children and adolescents.
Thirty eight cases of childhood hysteria admitted to a rural medical college hospital, were studied for epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, precipitating factors and psychosocial environment and behaviour. Hysteria was commonly seen during adolescence (73.2%) and in males (63.2%). It was more common in the lower socio-economic status (60.5%) and in children for nuclear (94.7%) and large size families (81.6%). Eldest or youngest siblings of the families were found to be more prone to develop hysteria. Motor symptoms were most frequently observed (71.1%) and 55.3% cases had more than one symptom at the time of presentation. In a majority of cases hysteria was acute in onset. Precipitating psychological event was identified in 81.6% cases; scolding (26.3%) being the commonest followed by school avoidance (13.2%), examination fear (10.5%) and quarrel with peers (10.5%). Past history of 52.6% of patients of hysteria and 18.4% of their parents revealed subtle behavioural abnormalities. All patients improved with psychotherapy and modification of the psychosocial environment.
Agrawal
M
M
Chaturvedi
P
P
Dey
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007046:Hysteria / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors