HYSTERIA DEFINITION:An excess of emotion resulting in extreme responses and a loss of control NOTES:This entry refers to the emotion rather than the hysteria associated with psychological disorders. PHYSICAL SIGNALS AND BEHAVIORS: Screaming or yelling Uncontrollable sobbing Heavy breathing Flared nostrils Flushed skin Sweat breaking out on the skin Eyes wide open, with the white showing all around the iris Closing the eyes and covering the ears to block out all stimuli Vehement head shaking Hands clenching into fists Stamping one’s feet Pounding one’s fists against one’s thighs Pulling at one’s hair Muttering or screaming the same words over and over:It’s not true, This isn’t happening, He’s all right, etc. Screaming oneself hoarse Thrashing about in a way that could cause harm Veins standing out in the face or neck Flapping the hands Falling to the ground Throwing oneself down (on a couch, bed, the ground, etc.) A bent posture, as if protecting oneself Jerking away from nearby people or surfaces Clinging to or hanging onto people Passing out Attacking the bearer of bad news (if bad news triggered the hysteria) Verbally denying the bad news Curling into the fetal position Hugging one’s knees and rocking back and forth Hyperventilating and being unable to speak coherently INTERNAL SENSATIONS: Elevated heart rate and pulse Muscles going limp Seeing spots Feeling like one can’t get enough oxygen; shortness of breath Narrowed senses (decreased range of vision, hearing loss, etc.) The sensation of being squeezed; feeling physical pressure MENTAL RESPONSES: An inability to listen to reason A complete lack of regard for what others think (loss of inhibition) Not noticing what’s going on in the immediate environment (not hearing people calling one’s name or touching one’s arm, etc.) Recognizing the loss of control but not knowing how to rein it in The mind jumping from one thought immediately to another Feeling separated from one’s body and viewing oneself from an external vantagepoint ACUTE OR LONG-TERM RESPONSES FOR THIS EMOTION: Exhaustion that could lead to a physical collapse Experiencing a mental break Losing one’s voice Sleeping for a long period of time Muscle soreness Bruising and body aches from having to be physically restrained by others Burst blood vessels in the eyes Suffering a heart attack SIGNS THAT THIS EMOTION IS BEING SUPPRESSED: By its definition, hysteria cannot be controlled; therefore, it cannot be suppressed. MAY ESCALATE TO:Rage,Denial,Overwhelmed MAY DE-ESCALATE TO:Anxiety,Fear,Sadness,Agitation,Unease,Confusion ASSOCIATED POWER VERBS: Accuse, beat, bruise, claw cling, clutch, collapse, crack up crumple, cry, curl, drop faint, flail, flinch, gasp go to pieces, grab, grip, huddle jerk, keel over, lose it, lunge sag, scream, shout, shriek sob, spit, startle, thrash wail, yell WRITER’S TIP:Characters in a heightened emotional state have their senses dialed up. Describing an awareness of a sound, smell, taste, etc. they may not otherwise notice is a good way to show this.