Finding Dulcinea Logo New
Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

26 Bizarre Cases of Mass Hysteria You Need to See

Written By Anne Kostick
Last updated: January 27, 2025

Mass hysteria has been a phenomenon throughout history, causing widespread panic and irrational behavior. From dancing plagues to phantom illnesses, these bizarre cases continue to fascinate and intrigue us. Here are some of the most mind-blowing examples of mass hysteria that will leave you speechless.

1. The Dancing Plague of 1518

In Strasbourg, France, hundreds of people danced uncontrollably for days, with some even dying from heart attacks, strokes, and exhaustion.

The cause of this bizarre phenomenon remains unknown, but it's believed to have been triggered by a combination of factors, including stress, anxiety & social influence. The dancing plague was a major event in the city's history, with many people participating in the frenzy, including men, women, and children.

2. The Delhi Monkey Man

In 2001, panic erupted in New Delhi over reports of a mysterious monkey-like creature attacking people. The creature was never found, but the fear it inspired was real, with many people claiming to have seen it and reporting its presence to the authorities.

The Delhi Monkey Man was a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists.

3. The Portuguese "Morangos com Açúcar" Virus

In 2006, students in Portugal experienced mass hysteria mirroring a popular soap opera, with many believing they had contracted a mysterious illness from the show.

The soap opera, called "Morangos com Açúcar," was a popular teenage drama that explored themes of love, friendship, and identity. The mass hysteria surrounding the show was a testament to its influence on young people's lives and the power of media to shape our perceptions of reality.

4. The Mattoon Ghost

In 1944, residents of Mattoon, Illinois, believed they were being gassed by a phantom anesthetist, leading to widespread panic and a massive investigation.

The Mattoon Ghost was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and psychologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including wartime anxiety, social influence, and the power of suggestion.

5. The Nunnery Animal Imitations

In the 15th century, nuns in France and Germany exhibited bizarre animal-like behavior, including barking, meowing, and flapping their arms like birds. The nuns' behavior was seen as a sign of demonic possession, and they were subjected to exorcisms and other forms of treatment.

Bizarre Cases of Mass Hysteria

The Nunnery Animal Imitations were a testament to the power of social influence and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy in medieval Europe.

6. The Uttar Pradesh Alien Face Scratcher Panic

In 2002, residents of Uttar Pradesh, India, believed aliens were scratching them at night, leading to a wave of panic and hysteria. The alien face scratcher panic was a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

7. The Great Fear

In 1789, peasants in France panicked over rumors of an aristocratic plot to destroy their crops and kill them, leading to widespread violence and chaos. The Great Fear was a major event in French history, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and sociologists.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social inequality, economic hardship, and the power of rumor and propaganda.

8. The Kissing Bug Scare

In 1899, a newspaper reporter sensationalized kissing bugs as a threat, causing widespread panic and a surge in reported bug sightings.

The kissing bug scare was a classic example of a media-driven panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and journalists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including sensationalism, social influence, and the power of suggestion.

9. The Wurzburg Screaming Nuns

In 1749, nuns in Wurzburg, Germany, experienced a mass hysteria event involving screaming, demonic possession, and bizarre behavior.

The Wurzburg Screaming Nuns were a testament to the power of social influence and the blurred lines between reality and fantasy in medieval Europe. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

10. The Edison Star Panic

In 1897, people across the United States reported sightings of a giant light bulb invented by Thomas Edison, which was believed to have mystical powers. The Edison Star Panic was a classic example of a technological panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and sociologists.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

11. The Hindu Milk Miracle

In 1995, statues of Hindu deities were reported to be miraculously consuming milk offerings, leading to a wave of pilgrimage and devotion.

The Hindu Milk Miracle was a classic example of a religious phenomenon, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and theologians. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, faith, and the power of suggestion.

12. The South Carolina Textile Mill "June Bug"

In 1962, workers at a textile mill experienced unexplained symptoms attributed to a bug bite, which was later found to be a case of mass hysteria.

The South Carolina Textile Mill "June Bug" was a classic example of a workplace-related panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and psychologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

13. The Malaysian and Indonesian Head-Hunting Panics

Construction projects in remote regions triggered panic over supposed government-sanctioned headhunters, leading to widespread fear and violence.

The Malaysian and Indonesian Head-Hunting Panics were a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

14. The Loudun Possession

In 1632, nuns in Loudun, France, accused their priest of demonic possession, leading to a sensational trial and a wave of hysteria. The Loudun Possession was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and theologians.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, faith, and the power of suggestion.

15. The Blackburn Fainting Epidemic

In 1965, hundreds of people in Blackburn, England, fainted while waiting for Princess Margaret, with many attributing the phenomenon to mass hysteria.

Bizarre Cases of Mass Hysteria

The Blackburn Fainting Epidemic was a classic example of a crowd-related panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and psychologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

16. The London Psychiatric Ward Pregnancy Panic

In the 1970s, a single patient's false pregnancy claim triggered mass hysteria in a psychiatric ward, with many patients believing they were pregnant.

The London Psychiatric Ward Pregnancy Panic was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among psychologists and sociologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

17. The Louisiana School Twitching Epidemic

In 1939, female students at a Louisiana school experienced a widespread twitching phenomenon, which was later attributed to mass hysteria.

The Louisiana School Twitching Epidemic was a classic example of a school-related panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and psychologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

18. The Milan Plague Panic

In 1630, residents of Milan panicked over rumors of escaped prisoners spreading the plague, leading to widespread violence and chaos. The Milan Plague Panic was a classic example of a disease-related panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and epidemiologists.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of rumor and propaganda.

19. The "Bin Laden Itch"

In 2001-2002, thousands of elementary students in the US experienced a mysterious skin rash, fueled by post-9/11 fears and rumors of a bioterrorism attack.

The "Bin Laden Itch" was a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

20. The Penis Panic

Males in various parts of the world believe their genitals are shrinking or disappearing, leading to widespread anxiety and fear. The Penis Panic is a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among psychologists and sociologists.

The event is triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

21. The Affair of the Poisons

In 1679, widespread Satanic hysteria gripped the French royal court, leading to numerous accusations and executions of those believed to be involved in witchcraft.

The Affair of the Poisons was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and theologians. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, faith, and the power of suggestion.

22. The Halifax Slasher

In 1938, a series of reported attacks by a mysterious slasher in Halifax, England, led to widespread panic and hysteria, despite a lack of evidence. The Halifax Slasher was a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists.

The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

23. The Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic

In 1962, a laughter epidemic swept through a girls' school in Tanganyika, with many students laughing uncontrollably for days.

The Tanganyika Laughter Epidemic was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among psychologists and sociologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

24. The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic

In 1954, residents of Seattle reported a mysterious epidemic of pitted windshields, which was later attributed to mass hysteria and a hoax.

The Seattle Windshield Pitting Epidemic was a classic example of a modern-day legend, with its origins and significance still debated among anthropologists and folklorists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

25. The West Bank Fainting Epidemic

In 1983, a series of fainting spells among Palestinian schoolgirls led to widespread panic and hysteria, with many attributing the phenomenon to Israeli gas attacks.

The West Bank Fainting Epidemic was a classic example of a mass hysteria event, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and psychologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of suggestion.

26. The Belgian Coca-Cola Scare

In 1999, a wave of panic swept through Belgium after reports of contaminated Coca-Cola, leading to widespread recalls and a massive investigation.

The Belgian Coca-Cola Scare was a classic example of a food-related panic, with its origins and significance still debated among historians and epidemiologists. The event was triggered by a combination of factors, including social influence, anxiety, and the power of rumor and propaganda.

Revel In More Astonishing Details:
30 Fun Facts That’ll Wow Your Friends
30 Lesser-Known Facts About Human Psychology
25 Facts About Lions That Roar With Excitement

Charles Eames

Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram