Psychoanalysts explain hysteria as the physical effect of a past emotional event – originating, often, from a traumatic experience. However, some scientists and members of the public have found this explanation hard to swallow. How can physical symptoms – sometimes as serious as paralysis – have such an intangible cause? Now researchers have managed to identify the part of the brain which is active in hysterical patients, and their work is groundbreaking in demonstrating that this mysterious condition is ‘real’. But if we know what hysteria is, does that help us understand why it occurs? Martha is joined by Peter Halligan, Professor of Psychology at Cardiff University and psychotherapist and writer, Susie Orbach. |
