What Is Hysterical Neurosis

Hysterical neurosis, now more commonly known in clinical terms as conversion disorder or dissociative disorder, is a condition where a patient perceives themselves through a distorted lens that causes them anguish, anxiety, depression, and a series of various physical symptoms of somatic origin.

Individuals with hysterical neurosis suffer from recurrent frustration and victimhood, always exaggerating the negative aspects of their lives and worrying in an unhealthy way about all kinds of issues, becoming obsessed with things outside of their control or with eccentricities.

They tend to easily accept blame that isn’t theirs, which hinders their interpersonal relationships and turns them into socially maladjusted people with a poor capacity for making decisions.

There are three types of neuroses:

• Obsessive.
• Phobic.
• Hysterical.

In this case, we are focusing on hysterical neurosis, which is characterized by permanent dissatisfaction, unattainable desires, and a perpetual feeling of defeat and loss. This leads to fear-driven behaviors, where they avoid anything that could be positive out of fear that it might turn negative.

The severity of this type of neurosis ranges from superficial cases without major consequences, which don’t pose significant problems for the patient, to cases of high intensity that can generate severe crises of anguish and depression, including physical symptoms from somatization.

Hysterical neurosis is characterized by the presence of physical or sensory symptoms that have no apparent medical cause.

Some of the most common symptoms include paralysis of a part of the body, tremors, temporary blindness, temporary deafness, fainting, aphonia (loss of voice or speech), or seizures that mimic epileptic ones but without abnormal neurological activity.

These symptoms often arise in moments of high emotional stress or psychological conflict and, although they seem serious, they do not align with conventional neurological patterns.

Beyond the physical manifestations, it’s common for people with hysterical neurosis to have a dramatic or exaggerated attitude, unconsciously seeking attention or care.

Sometimes the symptoms appear suddenly, with no medical explanation but with a clear emotional background. The psychological distress turns into real physical symptoms for the person, even if there is no detectable physiological cause.

The diagnosis of hysterical neurosis is based primarily on the exclusion of medical causes. This means that clinical, neurological, and laboratory studies are first performed to rule out physical conditions that could explain the symptoms. Once these possibilities have been ruled out, the specialist can consider the symptoms to be of psychological origin.

Observing the patient’s behavior and their reaction to the symptoms is also key, as in many cases, there is an apparent emotional detachment, known as belle indifférence, from the seriousness of their physical symptoms.

How to Treat a Person with Hysterical Neurosis

The treatment of hysterical neurosis requires a psychotherapeutic approach, with cognitive-behavioral therapy being one of the most effective tools.

Through psychotherapy, the patient learns to identify and express their emotional conflicts in a healthy way instead of somatizing them. It is also important to strengthen their ability to manage stress and improve emotional awareness. Sometimes, other forms of therapy, such as psychodynamic therapy or supportive therapy, can be useful, depending on the patient’s personality and needs.

Beyond psychotherapy, psychiatric support is important if there are coexisting symptoms of anxiety or depression, which is common. Teamwork among psychologists, psychiatrists, and general practitioners is essential to offer comprehensive care.

At the Neurological Center of Centro Médico ABC, we can provide you with specialized care. Contact us!