title: Hysterical psychosis.
abstract: Clinical features of 88 patients diagnosed as having hysterical psychosis are analysed and compared with those of an equal number of catatoaic schizophrenics and conversion reaction. Hysterical psychosis is characterised by acute onset. often following the occurence of an emotionally disturbing event, absence of any characteristic thought disturbance, and emotio.ial volatility. Prognosis is good. Even though physical methods of treatment like drugs and E.G.T. had to be used in many patients to control the acute disturbance, psychotherapy and family therapy were found to be essential for the abatement of presenting symptoms as well as prevention of their recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Professor of Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Christian Medical College, Vellore-632002.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuruvilla
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sitalakshmi