Routledge Hysteria Today - CFAR Library Psychology Book

Explore the complex history and evolving theories of hysteria with Hysteria Today, part of the Centre for Freudian Analysis and Research Library (CFAR). This work examines one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions in human history, addressing the long-standing debates surrounding its existence and nature. Since the earliest medical texts, discussions regarding feminine complaints have shifted through various lenses. This book tracks how theorizations of root causes have moved from physiological explanations to psychological and socio-political perspectives. Because the concept of hysteria is tied to both femininity and notions of fakery, it raises deep questions about the human experience. Readers will examine how this topic touches upon the relationships between men and women, sex, the body, the mind, and culture. It provides a look into how society views happiness and unhappiness through the lens of this problematic condition. This text is a significant resource for those studying the history of clinical psychology and the evolution of psychiatric thought.