13. The History of Hysteria Dr. Renée Sentilles

Hysteria is an outdated psychological term that has evolved significantly over time. Historically, hysteria was a diagnosis given predominantly to women and was characterized by a wide variety of symptoms, including anxiety, fainting, nervousness, sexual forwardness, and emotional outbursts. The term comes from the Greek word "hystera," meaning uterus, reflecting the ancient belief that hysteria was linked to disturbances in the female reproductive system.In the 19th and early 20th centuries, hysteria was commonly diagnosed and treated by methods that are now considered barbaric and sexist (e.g. removal of key sexual organs!). Sigmund Freud and Jean-Martin Charcot were notable figures who studied and wrote about hysteria, contributing to the understanding and treatment of the condition.In modern psychology and psychiatry, hysteria is no longer a recognized medical diagnosis. The symptoms once attributed to hysteria are now understood within the context of other disorders, such as anxiety disorders, conversion disorder, and somatic symptom disorder. The term has largely fallen out of use due to its historical connotations and the advancement in understanding of mental health conditions.This week, I have invited back Dr. Renée Sentilles to discuss the history of hysteria and Dr. Karen Tang’s new book: It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told). Dr. Renée Sentilles is Henry Eldridge Bourne Professor of History at Case Western Reserve University, where she has been teaching since 2000. She is the author of two books and various articles, and is currently working on a new book, “In Her Shoes: Getting to the Sole of 20 th Century American Women’s History,” which uses historic shoes engage readers in women’s history.Featured in this episode: It's Not Hysteria: Everything You Need to Know About Your Reproductive Health (but Were Never Told) by Dr. Karen Tang Elaine Showalter Carroll Smith-Rosenberg Approaching Hysteria: Disease and Its Interpretations