Glossary / Lexicon

Deutsch: Psychische Epidemien / Español: Epidemias psíquicas / Português: Epidemias psíquicas / Français: Épidémies psychiques / Italiano: Epidemie psichiche /

Psychic epidemics refers to a phenomena in which large numbers of people begin to engage in unusual behaviors that appear to have a psychological origin.

Psychic epidemics refer to the spread of psychological and emotional symptoms within a group of people, such as a school, workplace, or community. Psychicogenic or mass hysteria is an example of a psychic epidemic. These outbreaks are thought to be driven by social and psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, and group dynamics, rather than by any underlying medical condition.

Examples of psychic epidemics in the psychology context include:

1. Mass hysteria - This is a collective emotional outbreak that can manifest as physical symptoms, such as fainting, nausea, or seizures. Mass hysteria often occurs in groups of people who are under significant stress or anxiety, such as students in a school or employees in a workplace.

2. Conversion disorder - This is a condition in which psychological stress or anxiety is converted into physical symptoms, such as paralysis or blindness. Conversion disorder can occur in groups of people who are under significant stress or anxiety, such as soldiers in a war or students in a school.

3. Collective delusional disorders - This refers to instances where a group of people experiences false beliefs or delusions, such as a belief in a shared conspiracy theory. Collective delusional disorders can occur in groups of people who are under significant stress or anxiety, such as employees in a workplace or members of a religious community.

4. Contagious emotions - This refers to the spread of emotional states, such as fear or sadness, within a group of people. Contagious emotions can occur in groups of people who are under significant stress or anxiety, such as employees in a workplace or students in a school.

Overall, psychic epidemics can have significant impacts on the mental health and well-being of those affected, as well as the functioning of the group as a whole. Understanding the underlying psychological and social factors that contribute to psychic epidemics is important for preventing and managing these outbreaks. Psychotherapeutic interventions, such as group therapy or individual therapy, can help individuals learn to cope with stress and anxiety in healthy and adaptive ways, reducing their risk of being affected by psychic epidemics.