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Transcultural Psychiatry, Vol. 37, No. 4, 495-524 (2000)
DOI: 10.1177/136346150003700402

Occupational Mass Psychogenic Illness: A Transcultural Perspective

Robert E. Bartholomew

James Cook University of North Queensland

Fran«ois Sirois

Hùpital Laval, Quebec

Reports of occupational mass psychogenic illness (OMPI) in the scientific literature were examined to describe underlying presentation patterns and explain their sporadic appearance in the literature. Three distinct patterns were identified: (i) mass anxiety hysteria is precipitated by the sudden appearance of an anxiety-generating stimulus following the redefinition of an innocuous or imaginary odour or agent that is perceived as an immediate threat; (ii) mass motor hysteria is characterized by internalized conflict which fosters dissociation, histrionics and psychomotor agitation. Episodes are typified by an atmosphere of pre-existing tension and employee dissatisfaction with restrictive management practices coupled with inhibited negotiation channels; (iii) a third presentation pattern involves the relabelling of endemic symptoms and the occasional appearance of conversion reactions, which are reinforced by a hypervigilant medical community and exacerbating factors. Social factors may explain the irregular appearance of reports.

Key Words: epidemic hysteria • mass psychogenic illness • somatoform and conversion disorders • transcultural aspects • work psychology


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