Benign Myalgic Encephalomyelitis an Outbreak in a Nurses' School in Athens

Daikos, G. K.; Garzonis, S.; Paleologue, A.; Bousvaros, George; Papadoyannakis, N.

doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(59)91883-5

Cited by 14 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Symptoms are protean, often exhibiting considerable variation between outbreaks. Reports have appeared under a variety of descriptive labels: benign myalgic encephalomyelitis (Daikos, Garzonis, & Paleologue, 1959;Pool et al, 1961), epidemic neuromyasthenia (Albrecht, Oliver, & Poskanzer, 1964;Poskanzer et al, 1957;Shelokov, Habel, Verder, & Welsh, 1957), Iceland disease (Deisher, 1957;White & Burtch, 1954) and (Gilliam, 1938;Sigurdsson, Sigurjonsson, Sigurdsson, Thorkelsson, & Gudmundsson, 1950). While several researchers have argued that the symptoms are elicited by an unidentified virus (Acheson, 1959;Briggs & Levine, 1994;Chester & Levine, 1994), no causative agent has been conclusively identified.…”

Section: Relabelling Of Endemic Symptomsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occupational Mass Psychogenic Illness: A Transcultural Perspective

Bartholomew

Sirois²

2000

Transcult Psychiatry

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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.

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