The Arjenyattah Epidemic

Mass hysteria: two syndromes?

“…Modan's view that' only after all physical, chemical and biological factors have been ruled out should a diagnosis of mass hysteria be made' is the exception, not the rule (Modan et al 1983). Mass hysteria is not a diagnosis of exclusion.…”

“…When facing an outbreak of mass hysteria of either form it is important not to waste time in a fruitless search for environmental precipitants, which, by reinforcing the behaviour, may serve to prolong the episode. Modan's view that' only after all physical, chemical and biological factors have been ruled out should a diagnosis of mass hysteria be made' is the exception, not the rule (Modan et al 1983). Mass hysteria is not a diagnosis of exclusion.…”

“…An exception is the Arjenyattah epidemic, when gains were made from accusations that the mass collapse of West Bank schoolchildren was due to nerve gas, a belief reinforced by local doctors. Until this could be disproved in the local and international press the epidemic continued to spread (Hefez, 1985;Modan et al 1983). McEvedy & Beard (1970) view the introduction by the Royal Free staff of the label 'benign encephalomyelitis' as an inadvertent validation that reinforced the outbreak.…”

Epidemic Hysteria: A Dialogue with François Sirois

“…The diagnosis of collective conversion reactions poses a special challenge for medical professionals as it is often met with negative emotional responses, especially in political circumstances involving allegations of chemi cal poisoning [21][22][23], Further, health autho rities can only indicate negative findings, and rumors related to the conversion reaction (in deed even precipitating it) are likely to be viewed by the community as reinforcing the 42 Med Principles Pract 1997:6:38-44 existence of the imaginary agent. It is impor tant for physicians to confirm rumors and make assessments based on the facts avail able.…”

A Challenging Empirical Question: What are the Effects of Media On Psychogenic Illness during a Community Crisis?

“…[7-9] Some authors state flatly that newspaper and television reports spread psychogenic illness and that lack of coverage will prevent spread. [10, 11] One set of authors notes: “Nearly all who write on this topic draw attention at some stage to the role of the media, usually in unflattering terms.”[8] Yet surprising, there is little or no empirical evidence to support assertions that media reports fuel psychogenic outbreaks.…”