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The news media has been abuzz recently about a seemingly mysterious illness that has nearly two dozen students at LeRoy High School in Western New York twitching and convulsing uncontrollably.
Most doctors and experts believe that the students are suffering from mass sociogenic illness, also known as mass hysteria. In these cases, psychological symptoms manifest as physical conditions.
Strange History: Mass Hysteria Through the Years
Seeded on Mon Feb 6, 2012 10:49 PM EST
Article Source: Discovery.com
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Sociologist Robert Bartholomew, author of several books on mass hysteria including The Martians Have Landed: A History of Media-Driven Panics and Hoaxes, explained to Discovery News that “There are two main types of contagious conversion disorder. The most common in Western countries is triggered by extreme, sudden stress; usually a bad smell. Symptoms typically include dizziness, headaches, fainting and over-breathing, and resolve within about a day.”
- 2 votes
#1 - Mon Feb 6, 2012 10:50 PM ESTSounds sort of like the girls that triggered the Salem Witch Trials, doesn't it?
- 3 votes
Then there's Newsvine where mobs of people randomly form into mobs and vote up a non-comment...
11 votes for that!
- 2 votes
#2 - Tue Feb 7, 2012 1:19 AM ESTYeah, it can get out of hand when they start vandalizing and stealing from stores. After seeing them run through the mall, I don't think it's too damn funny. I really lost respect for the idea.
What do you think about the high schools girls and their twitching? I'm sure it's real for them and they would like to stop it. I don't think they're trying to get attention. IMO, it's a classic case of mass hysteria even though it doesn't involve a lot of them. People are very susceptible to twitching and itching, especially if you start thinking about bug bites. Seriously.
- 2 votes
I'm sure it is real for them, but like many cases of mass hysteria (as implied) its all in their heads. You've heard of those who through the power of suggestion 'come down with' sicknesses, or the so-called sympathy pains people have.
I read recently an article that talked about an African village where (years ago) some children started getting laughing fits, that spread through the whole region. I don't remember if it was here on NV or elsewhere darn it, or I would provide a link.
- 2 votes
Yeah, it would be very real and their bodies would react the same way as if it were real, I think. Evidently there's not a physical cause. And it's probably not categorized as an emotional issue such as a neurosis.
God, that would be something-- a laughing fit. It sounds more pleasant then other types of mass hysteria. It would be physcially good for the mind and body up to a certainpoint. If you can find the link, put it here. It would be very interesting and it would go great with the article.
- 2 votes
This isn't the actual article I read, that was about mass hysteria and cited this information, though not through Wikipedia, but here's the Wikipedia take, sounds quite close to whatwhatt I remember of the article (as it should lol).
- 1 vote
I saw this article today on AOL.
The search for answers continues in the LeRoy High School mystery illness case, and one expert's new hypothesis proposes that symptoms may be spreading through social media.
Currently, over a dozen teen girls and one adult in New York have reported experiencing the same Tourette's-like symptoms of twtiching, tics, and uncontrollable verbal outbursts. With the case now generating a great deal of media attention and public interest, some of the teens affected have been posting videos of their symptoms on YouTube, Facebook and other social networking channels.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/08/mystery-illness-is-social_n_1262480.html?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D133983
- 2 votes
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