Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism: TICs & TIMs

Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism
Training Support Package
Participant Guide
Slide 10
Chemical Agents of Opportunity for Terrorism:
TICs & TIMs
What is the correct terminology to identify
“mass psychogenic illness ”
More Common Terms
• Mass Sociogenic Illness
• Epidemic Hysteria
• Mass Hysteria
• Traumatic stress response
Less Common Terms
• Epidemic transient
situational disturbance
• Psychosocial casualties
• Environmental somatization
syndrome
• Psychological sequelae
• Psychic possession
• Crowd poison
Module One – Observed Behaviors during Mass Chemical Exposures
10
A number of terms have been used to describe this type of response. Attempts to
discuss and study this topic are problematic due to the highly variable terminology used
to describe the underlying phenomenon. In a literature review Bartholomew reported the
use of over 76 different terms referring to “mass psychogenic illness” like behavior. On
the left of the slide are the terms that tend to be in current and common use, those on
the right are less so. Psychic possession and Crowd Poison are particularly interesting
terms.
The existence of many terms and descriptive titles often indicates the difficulty in
adequate definition or delineation of a disease or syndrome.
December 2008 Version 2.0 Page 436