Back in high school it was a commonly talked about condition with its probable causes discussed in hushed tones.

During our early years of clinical practice, a shift wouldn't end without a case of a seemingly semiconscious patient mostly females, brought around by their panicky teachers or relatives.

Hysteria is a description with long history of use, and it comes from the Greek word 'hystera' meaning uterus, hence was more diagnosed in women.

The condition is characterised by wide ranging and varied ungovernable symptoms including fainting, shortness of breath, paralysis, spasms, pain, convulsions, irritability, delirium, cold extremities yawning and stretching among others.