NEW MASK OF HYSTERIA: Three case reports

Abstract

Background : Hysteria is a polymorphous manifestation pathology in which unconscious psychic conflicts convert symbolically into somatic and psychic symptoms.
The aim: When patients used to express their symptoms mostly in motor register, we are assisting progressively to the emergence of a new expressive mode of this disease. In fact, passional attitudes of the “Great hysteria” of Charcot and Richer have become exceptional, replaced by rich and sometimes confusing psychic symptoms.
Methods: we report three cases of patients with hysteria hospitalized in the department of psychiatry E at the Razi hospital of Tunis.
Resultats: All three patients had presented a rich psychological symptoms and confusing, looking psychotic. Some semiological characteristics and the projective personality tests have allowed us to bring the diagnosis of hysteria.
Conclusion: Hysteria expression seems to change constantly with epochs, cultures, society evolutions and medical knowledge progress