All Freak OutThe mystery of mass hysteria.

All Freak OutThe mystery of mass hysteria.

  • Words Alex Anderson
  • Photograph Alexandre Souêtre

Sometimes we feel so deeply that it causes physical discomfort, a visceral reaction that transports emotion to the body’s core. Immense joy takes the breath away; an awful sight induces nausea. An intense form of this relationship between mind and body is called “conversion disorder,” in which stress or depression manifest as convulsing limbs, blindness, paralysis. The emotional condition converts into a physical one. Physicians used to call this strange psychologically driven illness “hysteria.” Stranger still is mass hysteria, in which a group of people sicken from the same emotional trigger.

Imagine, as you ride the bus, a passenger steps off muttering threateningly. You smell something strange and catch the eye of another passenger who wrinkles her nose, frowning. Minutes ...

The full version of this story is only available for subscribers

Want to enjoy full access? Subscribe Now

Subscribe Discover unlimited access to Kinfolk

  • Four print issues of Kinfolk magazine per year, delivered to your door, with twelve-months’ access to the entire Kinfolk.com archive and all web exclusives.

  • Receive twelve-months of all access to the entire Kinfolk.com archive and all web exclusives.

Learn More

Already a Subscriber? Login

Your cart is empty

Your Cart (0)