hysteria

Universal Words noun [U] 1 a state of extreme excitement, fear or anger in which a person, or a group of people, loses control of their emotions and starts to cry, laugh, etc: There was mass hysteria when the band came on stage. * A note of hysteria crept into her voice. 2 (disapproving) an extremely excited and exaggerated way of behaving or reacting to an event: the usual media hysteria that surrounds royal visits * public hysteria about Aids 3 (medical) a condition in which sb experiences violent or extreme emotions that they cannot control, especially as a result of shock