Roback H B, Roback E, LaBarbera J D
J Dev Behav Pediatr. 1984 Apr;5(2):86-9.
In modern Western culture, "mass hysteria" has typically taken the form of an outbreak of a mysterious physical disorder among adolescent girls in whom no organic etiology or precipitant can be identified. If properly managed (i.e., diagnosis confirmed and publicly announced), the illness is usually of relatively short duration. This is a report of an incident of contagious hysteria among preadolescent girls, manifested as grieving reactions during what should have been a happy event--a birthday party. The complex relation between situational, developmental, physical, and personality factors in mass hysteria are discussed.
在现代西方文化中，“群体性癔症”通常表现为青春期女孩中突然爆发一种神秘的身体疾病，而在这些女孩身上找不到器质性病因或诱发因素。如果处理得当（即确诊并公开宣布），这种疾病通常持续时间较短。本文报告了一起发生在青春期前女孩中的传染性癔症事件，表现为在本应是欢乐场合——生日派对期间出现悲伤反应。文中讨论了群体性癔症中情境、发育、身体和个性因素之间的复杂关系。
