A CLINICAL STUDY OF 276 PATIENTS DIAGNOSED AS SUFFERING FROM HYSTERIA

A clinical study of 276 patients diagnosed as Hysteria in the Department of Psychiatry, Unit-2, Christian Medical College, Vellore, during the period of 1970—1974 is described. This group of 276 patients formed 10.81% of the total new consultations during this period. 61.2% of these were females. The peak age of onset was 10-20 years. The majority were married. 75% of them had conversion symptoms, 20.3% had dissociative states, and 4.7% had both features. 52.5% showed possible precipitating factors. 66.0% h i d features of extraversion in their personality make up. 14.1% showed evidence of parental deprivation. There was over-representation of the early born. Somatic symptoms (aches and pains) was the most common mode of presentation. The other common clinical manifestations were fainting attacks, “fits”, vomiting, involuntary movements and paralysis of limbs. The immediate follow up showed that 11 patients recovered, 120 improved, 3 were unchanged and 1 patient became worse. Only 93 patients could be contacted for the final follow up. Among these, 28 recovered completely; 50 were improved; 2 became worse and 2 died. It is emphasized that Hysteria continues to remain a clinical entity.