Psychiatry. 1975 Aug; 38(3): 258-68.

Epidemic hysteria in Malaysian schools: an illustrative episode.

Teoh JI, Soewondo S, Sidharta M.

This paper discusses the prevalence and characteristics of epidemic hysteria among predominantly rural Malay schools in Malaysia. An illustrative episode in a Malay residential girls' school is described, and contributory factors to this outbreak are elaborated. An attempt is made to analyze the complex interweaving of psychological, religious, cultural, and sociological factors in the precipitation of the outbreak.