The validity and significance of the clinical diagnosis of hysteria (Briquet's syndrome).

The author states that a valid diagnostic classification based on the medical model is a sine qua non for progress in psychiatric research and treatment and that such classification requires follow-up and family studies. To illustrate this point he reports on studies showing that hysteria, or Briquet's syndrome, is a valid clinical entity that follows a predictable course and clusters in certain families. He also reports that an association between hysteria and sociopathy has been demonstrated, suggesting that the two conditions may arise from sililar etiologic and pathogenetic factors.