Hysteria: Part 1

About this episode

Ash and Rachel explore the complex history and medical origins of hysteria in this first part of a two-part series.

Part One of Two on Hysteria. Ash and Rachel dig into the tangled history of this complex and ever-evolving diagnosis, starting with its medical origins. From ancient theories to outdated treatments, we're pulling from the antiquated archives to unpack the evolution of this so-called malady. Stay tuned for Part Two next week—Freud on Hysteria! SOURCES: Gilman, Sander L., Helen King, Roy Porter, G. S. Rousseau, and Elaine Showalter. Hysteria Beyond Freud. University of California Press, 1993. Acocella, Joan. Creating Hysteria: Women and Multiple Personality Disorder. Jossey-Bass, 1999. Scull, Andrew. Hysteria: The Disturbing History. Oxford University Press, 2021. Produced by Zoe Kurland. Music by Flock of Dimes.

People in this episode

Hosts: Ash Compton, Rachel Monroe

Topics covered

• hysteria
• medical history
• mental health
• women's health
• psychology

Keywords

• hysteria
• medical origins
• Freud
• mental health
• women's health
• psychology
• history

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Hysteria Beyond Freud, Creating Hysteria: Women and Multiple Personality Disorder, Hysteria: The Disturbing History

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