Over the course of the early 20th century, the number of patients of female hysteria sharply declined, and today it is no longer a recognized illness. In the 16th and 17th centuries, hysteria was still believed to be due to the retention of humour or fluids in the uterus, sexual deprivation, or by the tendency of the uterus to wander around the female body causing irritability and suffocation. Close this message to … Female Hysteria. For instance, before the introduction of electroencephalography, epilepsy was frequently confused with hysteria. The Globus Hystericus or Globus sensation does not require any treatment but it is always intended to have prevention. [5], Outdated diagnosis and treatment for patients with multiple symptoms of a neurological condition, Middle Ages, Renaissance, and the early modern period, Relationship with women's rights and feminism, manually stimulating the genitals of, i. e. masturbating, "Women and hysteria in the history of mental health", "Hysteria, Feminism, and Gender Revisited: The Case of the Second Wave", "Fantastically Wrong: The Theory of the Wandering Wombs That Drove Women to Madness", "Galen and the Widow: Towards a history of therapeutic masturbation in ancient gynaecology", "Doctors masturbating women as a cure for hysteria/'Victorian vibrators, "No, no, no! One such treatment is that of the “gentle massage.” The doctor would gently rub the woman’s genitals, inducing a sudden attack or spasm, referred to as a “paroxysm.” Nowadays, we recognize that these so-called “paroxysms” were actually orgasms. Although this treatment is now recognized as mere suggestion, it did help in the development of hypnosis (Tasca et al., 114). There were various forms of “genital massage,” ranging from the manual massage, where doctors apply pressure on the woman’s clitoris with their fingers, to hydrotherapy, where the doctors apply pressure using water (Starr and Aron, 373-374). Eventually, physicians would use the hand-held electric vibrator as it was quicker and prevented muscle aches and pains. Invented by German physician Franz Mesmer, the treatment involves a mixture of hypnosis and “animal magnetism” in order to cure a woman of her hysterical behaviour. Electronic. As a last resort, in the case of virgins or nuns, women considered to be suffering from hysteria would sometimes undergo “pelvic massage” manual stimulation of the genitals by the doctor until the patient experienced “ hysterical paroxysm “. During this treatment, physicians would often interpret the woman’s cries of pleasure as cries of pain (Starr and Aron, 377). Treatment of Hysteria Common Treatment of Hysteria Psychotherapy is generally the treatment of choice for histrionic personality disorder. However, for patients with perceived mental illness and hysteria a cold bath was given instead. [1], In Western medicine hysteria was considered both common and chronic among women. As mentioned in earlier posts, the Victorian era still mainly associated hysteria with women, and therefore most forms of treatment related to them, and not men. The symptoms of hysteria can be found as early as 1900 BC in the Egyptian papyri (the actual word hysteria is derived from hystera, Greek for uterus). However, if these methods did not work, the alternative and most extreme explanations would be of the supernatural torment of demons. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. This treatment relates greatly to the early Greek theories of the “wandering uterus.” Some more drastic forms of treatment included cauterization of the genitals, and hysterectomy (Starr and Aron, 373). [1] In extreme cases, the woman may have been forced to enter an insane asylum or to have undergone surgical hysterectomy. Fortunately, a reliable, socially acceptable treatment appeared. Tasca, Cecilia, Mariangela Rapetti, Mauro Giovanni Carta, and Bianca Fadda. The black berry fruit is considered an effective home remedy for hysteria. [25], With so many possible symptoms, historically hysteria was considered a catchall diagnosis where any unidentifiable ailment could be assigned. There were various other forms of treatment during this era, including prescribing laudanum, an alcoholic solution containing morphine, and even horseback riding and train trips (Saul, 52). April 4th 2016. Avoid lying down after eating 3. Hysteria Definition The term "hysteria" has been in use for over 2,000 years and its definition has become broader and more diffuse over time. According to Maines’ investigations, at various points, high-pressure showers or hoses were also used to treat hysteria (as was clitoridectomies it should be said). Of cures and treatments for female hysteria sharply declined been forced to enter an insane asylum to. At the Salpetriere. ” Journal of Psychohistory, Patriarchy, and pleasant scents at the time female patients sought practitioners... The era is that of hypnosis zones, ” that when touched would activate spasms or convulsions ( Collini.... Also considered taboo to treat those with hysteria as prescribed by a doctor can be to!, historically hysteria was once considered a catchall diagnosis where any unidentifiable could... That women play areas for convulsions and tremors ( Alvarado, Carlos S. “ Nineteenth-Century and. 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