Apsithyria

Neurology, Psychiatry

Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.

Apsithyria is the loss of the ability to whisper, a rare symptom sometimes observed in cases of hysteria. Historically, this condition was often confused with hysterical aphonia before being classified as a distinct symptom.

Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)

APSITHYRIA (from the Greek a-negative particle and psithyros-whisper), the loss of the ability to whisper, is a symptom rarely encountered in hysteria; before Solis Cahen identified apsithyria as a symptom sui generis, it was confused with hysterical aphonia.

Cite this page

“Apsithyria.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/apsithyria/