Well, I didn’t actually promise mass psychosis. At some point, though when coming up with the theory I still hold — about how many Americans are suffering from PTSD due to the large-scale traumas which have pummeled us over the past decades — I did promise to delve into the phenomenon of mass psychosis to see if it has existed in history and, if it has, can it identify and illuminate what we’re going through as mass psychosis.
First, I asked Perplexity.com to define mass psychosis (I’ve bolded some relevant phrases):
Defining Mass Psychosis/Hysteria
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Mass psychogenic illness involves rapid spread of symptoms or delusions in a group, often triggered by social pressure, stress, or fear, rather than any physical cause.
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Historical episodes often arise in contexts of stress, uncertainty, or social tension.
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These incidents illustrate how powerful psychological forces can shape collective reality, sometimes with dramatic and tragic consequences.
Mass psychosis and hysteria events highlight the profound effects of psychological contagion, misinformation, and social stress throughout history.
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Okay, so my quest corroborates my sense that mass psychosis/hysteria exists and has appeared at points in human history. Next, let’s see what those examples are and what were their possible causes. (Again, I’m taking this directly from Perplexity.com).
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The Salem Witch Trials
In 1692–1693, colonial Massachusetts experienced the Salem Witch Trials, a notorious episode where accusations of witchcraft, driven by fits and strange behavior among young girls, led to the execution of 20 people and imprisonment of many more. This event is cited as a classic example of religious extremism, community fear, and group hysteria spinning out of control.
Dancing Plague of 1518
In Strasbourg, hundreds of people were afflicted by a mysterious compulsion to dance for days, with some reportedly dancing to their deaths. Historians debated the causes, but the event is recognized as a dramatic instance of mass psychogenic illness, possibly triggered by stress, famine, and superstition.
“War of the Worlds” Radio Panic (1938)
Orson Welles’s radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” led to widespread panic among listeners who believed an actual Martian invasion was occurring. Contemporary media reports exaggerated the scale, but the event remains an important example of broadcast-induced mass hysteria.
Mad Gasser of Mattoon (1944)
Mattoon, Illinois citizens reported strange smells and symptoms, fearing a “mad gasser” prowled the town at night; no perpetrator was ever found. Investigators later concluded the majority of cases were driven by psychological contagion, with physical symptoms fueled by media coverage and public anxiety.
I’ve developed a fondness for this one, strictly because of the name.
Other Documented Incidents
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The Irish Fright (1688) involved panic from rumors about marauding Irish soldiers.
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The Great Fear (1789) in France was a widespread panic of peasant uprisings at the start of the French Revolution.
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The Dancing Plagues, Witch Trials, and episodes such as the Blackburn faintings (1965, England), Tanganyika laughter epidemic (1962, Tanzania), West Bank fainting epidemic (1983), and mass school-girl outbreaks in Malaysia (1970s–80s) illustrate diverse geographic and cultural contexts for mass psychosis.
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Modern cases include mass panic during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ganesha drinking milk miracle (India, 1995).
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Comparison Table of Major Episodes
| Event | Year(s) | Location | Nature of Hysteria | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salem Witch Trials | 1692–1693 | Massachusetts, USA | Witchcraft accusations | 20 executed, many imprisoned |
| Dancing Plague of 1518 | 1518 | Strasbourg, France | Compulsive dancing | Deaths, exhaustion |
| War of the Worlds Broadcast | 1938 | USA | Radio Martian invasion | Public panic, media controversy |
| Mad Gasser of Mattoon | 1944 | Illinois, USA | Fear of toxic attack | No culprit found, panic subsided |
| Irish Fright | 1688 | England/Wales | Fear of Irish attacks | Armed resistance, panic |