This worthwhile article by Dr. Emily Alexander explores the history of "hysteria," a term rooted in the Greek word for uterus, "hystera," and its ties to views on femininity, sexuality, and mental health. From ancient Egyptian ideas of a "wandering uterus" to medieval links with demonic possession, hysteria has long reflected cultural and gender bias. The Enlightenment shifted it toward medical understanding, and although no longer a formal diagnosis, its legacy still reveals persistent misogyny and outdated stereotypes in mental health.
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