Dora Secondary schoolgirls treated for ‘mass hysteria’

Over 20 schoolgirls from the Dora Secondary School on the Soesdyke Linden Highway who experienced strange symptoms Tuesday last, were treated for mass hysteria.

This is according to the Public Relations Officer for the Linden Hospital Complex, Toshanna Allicock.

Mass hysteria is a phenomenon that transmits collective illusions of threats, whether real or imaginary, through a population in society as a result of rumours and fear. The Mayo Clinic stated that mass hysteria is a rare condition and usually occurs in girls.

Allicock told the News Room Friday that the girls, aged 12 to 15, all experienced dizziness and weakness and out of the approximate 20, two were admitted to the Mckenzie Linden Hospital but subsequently discharged on Thursday.

The lone psychiatrist in Linden, Dr Sandra Avangurang-Gilart gave no specific cause for the sudden illness.

The News Room understands that the psychiatrist dealt with each patient individually and sent them home after they showed no signs of any mental illness.

The school’s annual cultural day which was scheduled for Friday was cancelled as the result of the incident.

“They were screaming for their belly and head, running into walls and looking for sharp objects, seeing things and talking things out of their head,” a source had told the News Room.