Motor Storm
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article defines 'Motor Storm' (Bewegungssturm), a term coined by Ernst Kretschmer to describe a primitive biological defensive reaction characterized by the instinctive emergence of abundant, disordered movements following any threatening or obstructive change in habitual life conditions. The reaction is believed to increase the probability that some movements will mechanically remove the individual from a dangerous position.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
MOTOR STORM (Bewegungssturm), the name given by Kretschmer to one of the most frequent primitive types of biological defensive reaction, namely the instinctive emergence of abundant disordered movements following any threatening or obstructive change in the conditions of life. Since at this time all movements available to the given individual are used one after another, there is always a probability that some of them will mechanically remove the individual from a dangerous position. According to Kretschmer, reactions of the motor storm type are not only characteristic of animals but in some cases also of man. Examples can serve the behavior of people in a panic, the motor manifestations of an hysterical attack, etc.
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“Motor Storm.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/motor-storm/