A 2006 DHS document about the possibility of a “Mass Psychogenic Illness” they define as:
“A phenomenon in which social trauma or anxiety combines with a suspicious event to produce psychosomatic symptoms, such as nausea, difficulty breathing, and paralysis. If many individuals come to believe that the psychosomatic outbreak is connected to the cause of the trauma or anxiety, these symptoms can spread rapidly throughout a population.”
Particular focus is given to a CBR Event (chemical, biological, radiological).
“particularly those involving chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) weapons. The number of those suffering psychogenic illness could far exceed the number of actual casualties in a CBR event.”
Some implications stated in the document:
“The observed symptoms of many mass psychogenic illness events are similar to several non-specific symptoms of possible chemical and biological weapons—including chemical agents, inhalational anthrax, and avian influenza.”
“Recent cases of mass psychogenic illness display a transferal of the symptoms onto contemporary anxieties.”
“A phenomenon in which social trauma or anxiety combines with a suspicious event to produce psychosomatic symptoms, such as nausea, difficulty breathing, and paralysis. If many individuals come to believe that the psychosomatic outbreak is connected to the cause of the trauma or anxiety, these symptoms can spread rapidly throughout a population.”
Particular focus is given to a CBR Event (chemical, biological, radiological).
“particularly those involving chemical, biological, or radiological (CBR) weapons. The number of those suffering psychogenic illness could far exceed the number of actual casualties in a CBR event.”
Some implications stated in the document:
“The observed symptoms of many mass psychogenic illness events are similar to several non-specific symptoms of possible chemical and biological weapons—including chemical agents, inhalational anthrax, and avian influenza.”
“Recent cases of mass psychogenic illness display a transferal of the symptoms onto contemporary anxieties.”
On the last page it links to a WHO Report entitled:
“Mental Health of Populations Exposed to Biological and Chemical Weapons”
I haven’t finished it but this 2005 document has some interesting language around fear and a variety of “interventions” to employ in the event of a psychogenic pandemic. It’s worth a look. Share any insights you might glean.
Report:
iris.who.int/bitstream/hand…
“Mental Health of Populations Exposed to Biological and Chemical Weapons”
I haven’t finished it but this 2005 document has some interesting language around fear and a variety of “interventions” to employ in the event of a psychogenic pandemic. It’s worth a look. Share any insights you might glean.
Report:
iris.who.int/bitstream/hand…
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
