The Yellow Wallpaper

Introduction

The paper is going to investigate about what did hysteria means, and why were women diagnosed as hysterical? What were the common treatments hysterics received? Do physicians listen to their patients today?

Hysteria

Hysteria is a psychological condition that belongs to the group of neuroses and suffering from one percent of the population. It falls within the somatization disorder and is manifested in the patient in the form of anxiety supposing that have different physical or mental problems. As neurosis, no one ever, come a break with reality (as in delirium) or a disorganization of the personality. Technically, it is called hysterical conversion.

The symptoms of hysteria, physical or psychological nature, are manifested with a look paroxysmal, intermittent or long-lasting, often reversible. It is a notable motor, sensory and sensory. Motor disorders are seizures or paralysis. Traditionally, the crisis begins with an aura, consisting of abdominal pain, palpitations, choking sensation and visual disturbances (blindness partial or complete). Then experienced an apparent unconsciousness and in a controlled fall. Then comes the epileptoid phase, is consisting of respiratory arrest, tetanization, convulsions and, finally, a resolution in the form of general fatigue and wheezing.

As a final stage, there are contortions (disorderly movements and screaming) and a period of trance, with semblance of erotic or violent scenes. The end of the crisis involves the return of consciousness, accompanied by mild contractions and expression of words or phrases on topics unrelated passion.

Two elements are essential for the diagnosis of a hysterical symptom: first, these neurological deficits occurs tone without any pathology in the organic nervous system, central or peripheral, and second, occur in connection with situations of stress or psychological conflict. All tests are done have been normal, which is not always reassuring to patients, which often exacerbates anxiety, and it is frustrating for doctors , who feel powerless or circumvented by ailments imaginary. These disorders are not intentionally simulated by the patient, shown certain subjective experience of being paralyzed, blind, or amnesia.

Today the term "hysteria" is not used in the clinical setting. The DSM-IV-TR classifies hysteria in two chapters: the somatoform disorders (for physical symptoms) and dissociative disorders (for mental symptoms).

Somatoform disorders

Hypochondria: Belief in severe illness to misinterpret innocuous physical symptoms.

Body Dysmorphic Disorder: The patient complains of an imaginary body defect.

Somatization disorder: The patient complains of multiple physical symptoms, but none have an identifiable organic origin to the scans.

Pain Disorder: The patient complains of severe pain that cannot be explained by medical illness or by nervous anatomy of the area allegedly affected.

Conversion Disorder: Symptoms primarily motor or perceptual (inability to walk, or blindness) that cannot be explained by a neurological injury or other medical condition.

Dissociative Disorders:

Dissociative Amnesia: The patient has memory gaps, commonly associated with significant psychological event. It can also be understood as a symptom of other disorders such as dementia, post-traumatic stress, or other dissociative disorders.

Dissociative Fugue: The patient made ??a sudden trip away from home. At the back is unable to remember the trip, or ...