Mass Psychosis: Understanding Its Causes And Implications

Mass psychosis, also referred to as mass psychogenic illness (MPI) or mass sociogenic illness (MSI), is generally defined as a social phenomenon in which individuals experience severe collective distress caused by delusions or false beliefs. These irrational behaviors or beliefs often spread rapidly within the group, frequently creating mass outbreaks of fear and anxiety.

The potential reasons for mass psychosis are varied and often reflective of cultural factors, interactions between individuals, and social constructs. This phenomenon has been observed throughout history in varying contexts, and its consequences can range from mild and minor to severe and widespread. However, there are ways to counter mass psychosis and cultivate better mental health in the community and for individuals. In general, these include education and awareness efforts and increasing availability of mental health services. 

Mass psychosis can be damaging on many levels

Work through its effects in online therapy

Types of MPI

The British psychiatrist Simon Wessely labeled two types of MPI.

Mass anxiety hysteria

This type of mass psychosis can be characterized by shorter, more acute episodes of anxiety without prior distress. According to Wessely, mass anxiety hysteria is often observed in schoolchildren, is confined to group interaction, and spreads rapidly via visual stimuli. In this type of MPI, positive outcomes may be achieved by separating individuals within the group. 

Mass motor hysteria

Mass motor hysteria is typically characterized by a slower accumulation of repressed anxiety with prior distress. It can occur in any age group. Dysfunction in personalities and environments is normally identified as a source of disruption, and the spread tends to be gradual in nature. It often features abnormalities in motor behavior, like tremors and unusual symptoms of dissociation and panic. Effective treatment for mass motor hysteria generally involves addressing and managing underlying stressors.

Wessely's models are usually the most commonly referenced when examining cases of MPI. However, other scientists posit that features of the two types often overlap, and one comprehensive definition might be more suitable.

Signs of mass psychosis

Mass psychosis can manifest in various ways. Outbreaks are often triggered by a sensory experience like an unpleasant smell, a suspicious-looking object or substance, an unidentified sound, or another form of stimuli that may create fears of exposure to environmental danger. 

Triggers of mass psychosis may contribute to the "nocebo effect," in which an individual develops symptoms because they expect to do so. The nocebo effect can be considered the opposite of the placebo effect, in which an individual experiences symptom relief because they expect a treatment to work. In both cases, outcomes aren't necessarily based on reality. 

Contributors to MPI

There are many potential sociological contributors that may explain why large groups of individuals can experience shared psychogenic symptoms with no apparent physical cause. Examples include, but aren't limited to, those listed below:

Echo chambers and confirmation bias

Groups may isolate themselves from differing perspectives and only consume information that reinforces their existing beliefs. Echo chambers and confirmation biases often lead to distorted perceptions of reality.

Moral panic

Moral panic can be thought of as the sudden and widespread fear or concern over an issue that is perceived to threaten societal values or norms. Such panic often leads to collective overreactions or disproportionate responses.

Scapegoating and group blame

Blaming specific individuals or groups for perceived societal problems or injustices can cultivate discrimination, persecution, or violence within a group.

Cultural or societal paranoia

The pervasive fear or distrust of external forces, such as government institutions, foreign powers, or minority groups can not only lead to irrational behaviors, but it can also impact society on a larger scale when hurtful laws or policies are created due to that paranoia.

Cultural or religious mass movements

These can refer to instances where large groups adopt extreme or irrational beliefs or behaviors under the influence of charismatic leaders or societal pressures. Like cultural or societal paranoia, mass movements can impact society on a larger scale when laws and policies are enacted at the expense of others because of irrational beliefs.

Social contagion of beliefs or behaviors

This generally refers to the rapid spread of particular beliefs or behaviors through social networks, often without critical evaluation or examination of evidence.

Loss of critical thinking and individuality

Individuals within a group may abandon rational thought and uncritically accept the beliefs or behaviors of the collective, leading to a loss of personal autonomy.

It can be relevant to note that not all instances of collective belief or behavior are indicative of mass psychosis. Sometimes, shared beliefs can emerge from valid sources or experiences. 

Mass psychosis events in history

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) doesn't officially recognize mass psychogenic illness as a type of mental health disorder. However, scientists have researched the condition throughout history. 

There are many well-known examples of events where collective fear, misinformation, and societal pressures led to irrational beliefs and behaviors among groups. Here are a few global examples of mass hysteria from ancient to modern times.

The dancing plague of 1518

The dancing plague occurred in the Middle Ages when a woman began to dance in the street of a village in Germany. She danced uncontrollably for a week, and within two months, 400 people were reportedly experiencing the same symptom. The reasons for the plague remain unknown, but experts posit that villagers could have been experiencing stress-induced delusions caused by religious fears associated with St. Vitus (some at the time believed he cursed the impious with uncontrollable dancing), disease, and famine. Some others believe the dancing may have resulted from delusions caused by ergot food poisoning. 

The Salem witch trials (1600s)

Historians believe the Salem witch trials began when doctors and religious leaders in the village of Salem proclaimed that two young girls experienced convulsions and other symptoms because they had been "bewitched." When other girls in the town began experiencing the same symptoms, village leaders began to single out scapegoats (typically marginalized or unpopular individuals in the community, most of whom were women) and label them as the witches responsible for the mass illness. The accusations continued, and cases of witchcraft began emerging around the world, creating epidemic hysteria and fear that led to the false allegations and deaths of many innocent people. 

The War of the Worlds Panic (1938)

When Orson Welles’s realistic radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds (penned by H.G. Wells) aired, it caused mass hysteria and panic among listeners who believed they were under attack by aliens. 

The Red Scare (1950s)

During the Cold War era, widespread fear of communism in the US led to the persecution of suspected communists and the blacklisting of individuals in various industries.

The Tanganyika laughing epidemic (1962)

The laughing epidemic began with a few people in a girls' school in Tanganyika (now Tanzania), eventually spreading to what experts estimate to be roughly 1,000 people across several communities. Symptoms included chronic laughing and crying lasting from a few hours to a couple of weeks, sometimes accompanied by aimless running and violent outbursts. The exact cause of the laughing epidemic is unknown but believed to be related to heightened, chronic stress associated with conditions in the school and societal unrest at the time.  

The Satanic Panic (1980s-1990s)

A moral panic emerged in the US during the 1980s and 1990s in which people believed that there was a widespread conspiracy of satanic rituals and abuse. This led to false accusations, legal convictions, and media hysteria. 

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Consequences of mass psychosis

Mass psychosis can have far-reaching consequences on individuals and societies. For example, individuals experiencing MPI often develop psychological and physical distress stemming from delusions. This can lead to irrational behaviors and poor decision-making. MPI can cause widespread economic, sociological, and political unrest on a larger scale. The polarization and division in society sometimes caused by MPI can create an erosion of trust in essential institutions. 

Addressing and preventing mass psychosis

Addressing and preventing mass psychosis typically requires a multi-faceted approach involving the following:

• Education and awareness efforts to encourage critical thinking, media literacy, and fact-checking to help individuals question assumptions, seek evidence, and differentiate between credible information and misinformation
• Availability of mental health services and resources to help individuals cope with the fear and anxiety that may contribute to mass psychosis
• Open dialogue and communication within communities to address concerns, clarify misinformation, and promote rational discussion
• Fact-checking and verifying information before dissemination to avoid the spread of false beliefs
• Accountability from media outlets for responsible reporting and fact-based journalism
• Community support and solidarity to combat feelings of isolation, fear, and paranoia that can contribute to mass psychosis
• Empathy and understanding between individuals experiencing fear or anxiety during times of uncertainty or crisis
• Early intervention through recognition, support services, and awareness of targeted messaging to prevent the escalation of irrational beliefs and behaviors

Mass psychosis can be damaging on many levels

Work through its effects in online therapy

How to seek support

Because fear and anxiety can fuel mass psychosis, mental health support tends to be a critical part of preventing it. If you or someone you love are experiencing symptoms of mass psychogenic disorder or another type of conversion disorder, seeking guidance from a mental health professional is recommended. 

Despite the importance of mental health care, some people who need therapy encounter barriers to treatment. For example, scheduling or transportation issues might make attending sessions difficult. Some may feel uncomfortable talking to a therapist because of the stigmas that can be associated with mental health treatment. Still others might assume they cannot afford therapy. 

The rise in the popularity of telehealth services has created more significant opportunities for individuals to overcome such obstacles and receive therapy that is as effective as traditional treatment. 

Online therapy platforms usually offer flexible scheduling options and a broader pool of mental health professionals from which to choose. Additionally, if the relationship between the therapist and client isn't productive, individuals may change therapists at any time with just a few clicks.