Hysteria Beyond — Freud

: Some contributors, like Helen King, argue that "Classical hysteria" was a retrospective invention by later physicians to legitimize their own medical theories. Hysteria Beyond Freud - UC Press E-Books Collection

The work is a collaboration between five prominent historians and cultural critics:

: Investigates the development of hysteria as a "strange pathology" in the early modern world (1500–1800). Hysteria Beyond Freud

: Analyzes the negotiation of hysteria between doctors and patients, focusing on the relationship between medical materialism and the body.

: The authors argue that while Freud is often credited with "discovering" the psychological roots of hysteria, he actually inherited a 3,000-year-old lineage of medical and cultural thought. : Some contributors, like Helen King, argue that

: The text demonstrates that hysteria was frequently defined not just by biological symptoms, but by prevailing social norms regarding gender, behavior, and "proper" womanhood.

: Discusses the intersection of hysteria with feminism and gender, viewing the condition through a socio-political lens. : The authors argue that while Freud is

: Explores the origins of hysteria in antiquity, specifically examining the Hippocratic tradition and the myth of the "wandering womb".