Hysterical strength

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Hysterical strength is a display of extreme physical strength by humans, beyond what is believed to be within their capacity, usually occurring when people are in—or perceive themselves, or others, to be in—life-or-death situations. It was also reported to be present during situations of altered states of consciousness, such as trance and alleged possession. Its description is mostly based on anecdotal evidence. The name refers to hysteria, a nosological category that included bouts of superhuman strength as one of the possible symptoms. In Europe, this had previously been considered a symptom of demonic possession, which was treated by the Catholic ritual of exorcism. Early neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot ascribed such displays of unusual physical prowess instead to his proposed second phase of hysteria, which he called clownism. Thus, the phenomenon began at that time to be addressed by the investigation of insanity, rather than supernatural causes. During that period in the 19th century, the term hysterical strength could also be found in the intersection of such fields, scientific and religious, for instance mentioned by the Society for Psychical Research regarding a statement given by a physician. It was also described in reports of trance or possession in several other cultures, as for example in the New Testament (Mark 5:4) or in shamanic practices. Unexpected strength is claimed to occur during the now widely rejected pseudoscientific condition of excited delirium.