2018: MASS HYSTERIA AT SMK KETERAH, KELANTAN

The incident at SMK Ketereh in Kelantan on July 18, 2018, remains one of the most documented cases of "mass hysteria" (or Mass Psychogenic Illness) in Malaysian school history. It was a chaotic day that captured national attention and reignited debates between psychological and supernatural explanations.

What Happened?

The outbreak reportedly began in the morning and escalated rapidly, affecting a significant number of students and staff.

• The Scale: Approximately 39 students and 2 teachers were reported to have been affected by the "fits" or bouts of screaming.
• The Symptoms: Students described feeling "possessed," reporting sightings of "dark figures" or "shadows," followed by uncontrollable screaming, crying, and physical thrashing.
• The Reaction: The school was forced to allow students to go home early. Traditional healers (ustaz/bomoh) were called in to perform prayers and "cleansing" rituals alongside medical responses.

Psychological vs. Supernatural Perspectives

Malaysia has a unique cultural intersection where these events are common. Here is how the event was viewed through two different lenses:

1. The Clinical View (Mass Psychogenic Illness)

Psychologists often categorize these events as Mass Psychogenic Illness (MPI). It isn't "fake," but rather a real physical reaction to psychological stress.

• Stressors: High-pressure academic environments, strict discipline, or local anxieties can trigger a "conversion disorder" in one person, which then spreads through social contagion.
• The Mechanism: When one student screams, the high-stress environment causes others to subconsciously mimic the behavior as a release valve for their own pent-up anxiety.

2. The Cultural View (Hysteria/Possession)

In the local context, many attributed the event to gangguan (supernatural interference).

• Beliefs: It was suggested that construction on school grounds or the cutting down of old trees might have "disturbed" spirits.
• Resolution: This is why schools often opt for a combination of medical rest and spiritual rituals to calm the student body, as addressing the belief is often the fastest way to stop the spread.

Why 2018 was a "Peak" Year

The SMK Ketereh incident wasn't isolated; 2018 saw several schools in Kelantan and Perak reporting similar outbreaks. Experts suggested that social media played a role, as students seeing videos of other schools "succumbing" to hysteria increased the likelihood of it happening at their own.

Note: While these events are terrifying for those involved, they rarely result in long-term physical harm. The standard "cure" is usually school closure for a few days to break the cycle of anxiety.

PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH

Psychological research into the SMK Ketereh (2018) incident and the massive SMK Pengkalan Chepa (2016) outbreak provides a fascinating look at how cultural beliefs and mental health intersect in Malaysia. Researchers often describe Malaysia as the "Mass Hysteria Capital of the World" because of the frequency and scale of these events.

Here is a breakdown of the psychological findings and a comparison of these two landmark cases.

Comparison of Key Cases

Feature	SMK Pengkalan Chepa (2016)	SMK Ketereh (2018)
Duration	Lasted over a week; school closed for 3 days.	Happened in waves; recurring three times in one month.
Scale	Over 100 students and teachers affected.	Approx. 39 students and 2 teachers.
Visuals	Students reported seeing a Pontianak (female ghost).	Students reported "dark figures" and "shadows."
Response	Extensive media coverage; massive prayer sessions.	Rapid isolation of students; spiritual "cleansing."

Psychological Triggers: The "Why"

Researchers like Robert Bartholomew, a medical sociologist who has studied Malaysian hysteria for over 25 years, and local psychologists suggest several specific triggers:

• Social Contagion (The Nocebo Effect): In tight-knit groups, seeing a peer scream or faint triggers a "fight-or-flight" response in others. Because the cultural script for "possession" is so well-known in Kelantan, the brain interprets high stress as a supernatural event, causing the body to mimic the symptoms.
• Pent-up Stress (Conversion Disorder): Studies using the DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) on affected students found that many suffered from "extremely severe" levels of anxiety and depression prior to the event. In conservative environments where students feel they cannot openly express emotional distress, the body "converts" that mental pain into physical symptoms like fits or screaming.
• Cultural Stereotyping: Research indicates that the Malay community often views hysteria as a disturbance by jinn or spirits. Because this belief is shared, it acts as a "catalyst." When a student feels a somatic symptom (like a racing heart or numbness), they don't think "panic attack"—they think "possession," which escalates the fear.

The Role of Gender and Age

Studies consistently show that teenage girls are the primary demographic affected. Psychologists suggest two reasons:

• Biology: Puberty-related hormonal changes can heighten emotional sensitivity.
• Sociology: In traditional settings, girls may face more social restrictions or pressure to be "submissive," leading to a greater accumulation of "unexpressed emotions." Hysteria becomes an unconscious "release valve" for this pressure.

Innovative Responses

The frequency of these events in Malaysia led Universiti Malaysia Pahang to develop an "Anti-Hysteria Kit" (priced at approximately RM8,750). While controversial among medical professionals, it contains items like vinegar, lime, and pepper spray—essentially combining "sensory shock" (to snap a student out of a trance) with spiritual symbolism.

Key Takeaway: Most modern researchers argue that the best treatment is a dual approach: Traditional healers to calm the community's "spiritual fear," followed by professional counseling to address the underlying academic or personal stress.

Google Gemini AI

26 January 2026: 12.18 p.m