Hysteria—a Psychodemographic Study

The study refers to Sixty five cases, diagnosed as Hysteria in the course of one year in a general hospital clinic. High occurrence was seen in the age group of 16-20 years. Mean age was 19.1 years. Females formed the majority of the patients (63.1%). Occurrence was higher in unmarried males and females. Illness was more common in persons with lower education and socio-economic status. Nuclear families harboured greater number of the patients. Various psychogenic factors and the symptoms observed are discussed. During the follow up period, which was spread over a period of two years, it was observed that twenty two patients (33.8%) got rid of their symptoms altogether whereas fourteen of them (21.5%) had only partial relief.