Abstract / Summary
ABSTRACT Mass psychogenic illness (MPI) refers to the rapid spread of physical or psychological symptoms within a group in the absence of an identifiable organic cause, typically precipitated by perceived threats and amplified by sociocultural and media influences. Contemporary manifestations increasingly reflect technology-related anxieties and misinformation. In 2025, several districts of Western Uttar Pradesh, India, experienced widespread panic following rumors of nocturnal drone surveillance allegedly linked to thefts, propagated through word-of-mouth, social media, and sensationalized reporting. Amid community-level fear, collective night-time vigilance and unverified sightings, individuals presented to clinical services with acute anxiety-related symptoms. We report a series of four adults who developed episodic anxiety, autonomic arousal, insomnia, hypervigilance, avoidance behaviours, and safety-seeking practices in temporal association with the “drone scare.” The presentations did not meet full criteria for panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder or psychotic disorders. Symptom clustering within communities, shared threat appraisal, lack of organic pathology, and improvement with reassurance, psychoeducation, supportive interventions, and reduction in rumor exposure supported a sociogenic and context-specific formulation. This case series highlights how misinformation and technology-related fears can act as contemporary triggers for MPI-like presentations, underscoring the need for prompt mental health responses, public education, and responsible media communication to prevent related harm.