A Look at Mass Pscychogenic Illness
By Annette Pinder
Western New York was in the spotlight a several months ago as physicians, parents, educators, government agencies and the media speculated on why several teens in Leroy were experiencing uncontrollable tics. The story made national and international news, which only served to exacerbate the situation as non-medical professionals weighed in on its cause.
Laszlo Mechtler, M.D. , Medical Director of the Dent Neurologic Institute and Jennifer McVige Pediatric Neurologist were the treating physicians for most of the young women. Dr. Mechtler’s diagnosis was mass psychogenic illness (MPI), a rare form of conversion disorder.
So what is MPI? Dr. Mechtler explains, “It’s a psychological illness characterized by physical symptoms that can include weakness, paralysis, impaired vision, speech, tremors, tics and seizures. Sigmund Freud, father of psychiatry, called it “mass hysteria.” Today, we call it MPI, and the symptoms are often shared by a group of people following exposure to something that precipitated the cause or by a psychological stressor.”
Dr. Mechtler says mass psychogenic illness isn’t new. In fact, documented cases include:
The Tanganyika laughter epidemic (1962) Girls at a mission-run boarding school began laughing uncontrollably affecting 95 pupils, aged 12–18. Students were so distracted the school was finally forced to close down.
The Blackburn, England fainting epidemic (1965) School girls complained of dizziness and fainting. They were rushed by ambulance to a nearby hospital with moaning, chattering teeth, breathing difficulties, and involuntary muscle movements. There was no evidence of pollution of food or air. Symptoms were more severe and lasted longer in the older girls.
The West Bank fainting epidemic (1983) Nearly 1,000 Palestinian teenage girls and a few women soldiers fainted or complained of nausea. Israel was accused of using “chemical warfare” it was thought that a toxic substance was used by Palestinian militants to stir up unrest. Investigators concluded that even if an “environmental irritant” was originally present, the complaints resulted from mass hysteria, a diagnosis supported by Palestinian health officials, who said 20% of the cases may have been caused by gas inhalation, but the remaining 80% were psychosomatic.
Two all-girls secondary schools in Brunei (2010) Girls in both schools experienced mass hysteria causing panic among parents, educators and the community. Students claimed to be possessed by spirits, with symptoms like screaming, shaking and crying.
So what has become of those involved in the Leroy incident? Drs. Mechtler and McVige are happy to report that most of the young ladies are doing well following proper care and treatment, and less media speculation and attention. He says, “MPI symptoms are real, but with proper neurological and psychological care and time, a complete recovery is the usual and expected outcome.” Time does cure.
WNY Resource:
DENT Neurologic Institute is one of the largest neurological research and treatment facilities in the country. Laszlo Mechtler, M.D. is Vice President of DENT and Medical Director of the Neuro-Oncology Department and Headache Center. He is also an Associate Professor of Neurology at UB. To reach Dr. Mechtler call 716-250-2000.
