Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode

Ajemu, Kiros Fenta; Weldearegay, Tewolde Wubayehu; Bezabih, Nega Mamo; Meles, Yrgalem; Mehari, Goytom; Desta, Abraham Aregay; Berhe, Asfawosen Aregay; Jorjo, Micheale; Weldegebriel, Ataklti Gebretsadik; Gebru, Tesfay Subagadis; Tesfadingle, Abenezer

doi:10.1155/2020/2693830

Cited by 3 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Mass Hysteria is common among the preadolescent to adolescent age group and in females. It has been observed in schools, factories and work places; and 60% of literatures recorded occurred in schools ( 6 , 7 , 10 , 11 – 14 , 15 ). Mass Hysteria has been also common among developing nations: some of the episodes were associated with events like mass deworming observed at schools in Zamboanga peninsula, Philippines ( 13 ), following a school feeding program in Northwest Bangladesh ( 14 ), as well as similar episodes observed in Nepal ( 15 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass Hysteria among Beneficiary Students of the School-Feeding Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Jebessa

Deksiso

Tefera

et al. 2022

Ethiop J Health Sci

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BACKGROUND: Mass hysteria is described as the rapid spread of conversion disorder without organic basis among a group of people. Mass hysteria can occur in work place and commonly in schools. There are usually some factors attributable to the episode; however, the lack of a pathogen upon investigation is a fundamental characteristic. We are reporting an episode of mass hysteria from two schools in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.METHODS: Clinical record, laboratory investigation, toxicology study from the food and psychiatric evaluations.RESULTS: On November 25, 2019 a total of 113 students were brought from two schools in Addis to Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital. Most were between the ages of 10 and 15 years and were female students. Their school breakfast of bread and marmaladewas attributed as the cause of the episode; however only 49% of the students brought in had eaten the food. The majority complained of nausea and vomiting but most had normal physical finding; and their symptoms were resolved without treatment. The laboratory investigation on samples of blood and stool were negative for bacterial growth and food culture and toxicology were non-revealing. Most were reassured and few were given symptomatic treatment.CONCLUSION: This mass hysteric episode is similar to episodic reports from other school feeding programs in some Asian and African countries. The finding of this report is important for health care practitioners to consider mass psychogenic illness in case they face similar mass presentation without objective finding; and will help to avoid unnecessary costly investigations.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mass Hysteria among Beneficiary Students of the School-Feeding Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Jebessa

Deksiso

Tefera

et al. 2022

Ethiop J Health Sci

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“…MH is a cause of acute illness epidemics and is a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon involving the generation of subjective somatic complaints in patients exposed to various triggers in a particular psychological and social context. 7 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MH often occurs among otherwise healthy people who suddenly believe they have been made ill by specific trigger factors. 1 – 3 , 7 MH spreads through visual and auditory contact and occurs most often among adolescents or preadolescent girls. 7 MH may involve the recurrence of a reaction in which the original psychological climate is duplicated or re-established.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 1 – 3 , 7 MH spreads through visual and auditory contact and occurs most often among adolescents or preadolescent girls. 7 MH may involve the recurrence of a reaction in which the original psychological climate is duplicated or re-established. For instance, adolescents are susceptible to proposal and influence contagion and have a substantial need for acceptance and self-affirmation because they are eager to conform to the group by sharing its beliefs and ideals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Currently, MH in children and adolescents is a neglected social problem that is underreported; often places substantial financial burden on emergency services, public health and environmental agencies; and has a negative effect on social development and stability. 5 The literature on MH comprises mostly reports 2 , 7 – 9 that rarely include an accurate assessment of the MH attack rate (AR). The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess ARs of MH in children and adolescents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mass hysteria attack rates in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

Zhao

Cheng

Dong³

et al. 2021

J Int Med Res

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Objectives There are few systematic assessments of mass hysteria (MH) attack rates (ARs) in adolescents and children. The study aim was to assess the ARs of MH in this population. Methods We used a meta-analysis to systematically review studies and assess ARs. Results The reviewed studies included 32,887 participants, of which 2968 were children and adolescents with a history of MH. Twenty-eight studies were included, of which 22 (78.6%) had high to moderate methodological quality. The pooled AR of MH was 9.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.3, 14.0). Of MH studies between 2010 and 2020, 78.6% were conducted between 2010 and 2014. ARs were higher between 2010 and 2014 (10.3%) than between 2015 and 2020 (8.1%). Regarding population characteristics, the AR in girls was 2.43 (95% CI 1.70, 3.46) times higher than in boys. Most studies were on primary school students (46.4%), who showed the highest AR (15.4%). Of six trigger factors, water pollution showed the highest AR (16.3%). ARs were higher in rural areas (11.1%) than in urban areas (5.6%). Conclusions MH in children and adolescents seems prevalent and shows some epidemiological characteristics. These findings may assist governments to control and prevent MH epidemics among children and adolescents.

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The Rise of Functional Tic-Like Behaviors: What Do the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Media Have to Do With It? A Narrative Review

Martindale

Mink

2022

Front. Pediatr.

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BackgroundThere has been a rise in explosive onset of tic-like behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, this is an uncommon phenomenology of functional movement disorders across all ages. Both the psychological burden of the pandemic and social media usage have been implicated in the rise of these tic-like behaviors.MethodsThis paper provides a narrative review of the literature on chronic tic disorders, functional tics, and mass functional illness with particular focus on the key distinguishing features, role of social media, and the role of COVID-19.ResultsThe COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly affected the mental health of many individuals, including children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Implementation of lockdowns, lifestyle disruptions, school closures, and social distancing have driven a surge in social media and digital technology use. The combination of predisposing factors, the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic, and social media are implicated in the rise and spread of tic-like behaviors; which may represent a modern-day form of mass functional illness. While many of the features overlap with functional tics, there are emerging distinctive features that are important to recognize. A more encompassing term, Functional Tic-Like Behaviors, is used to better reflect multiple contributing factors.ConclusionKnowledge of these differences is essential to mitigate downstream health effects and poor outcomes.

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Mass Psychogenic Illness in Haraza Elementary School, Erop District, Tigray, Northern Ethiopia: Investigation to the Nature of an Episode

Cited by 3 publications

References 23 publications

Mass Hysteria among Beneficiary Students of the School-Feeding Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mass Hysteria among Beneficiary Students of the School-Feeding Program in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Mass hysteria attack rates in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis

The Rise of Functional Tic-Like Behaviors: What Do the COVID-19 Pandemic and Social Media Have to Do With It? A Narrative Review

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