James Keller says the film explores "the hysterical fear of exposure some heterosexual males experience" when they have had sexual relations with another man.

There was a note of urgency in it-a note of almost hysterical fear.

She was sobbing in hysterical fear, and Shelby immediately saw why.

She rebuked herself for giving in so easily to a hysterical fear.

Coverage of the arrest only seemed to encourage what the French are calling a "psychose" - a hysterical fear.

A more serious but equally hysterical fear rocked the American education system, reeling under the pressures of desegregation.

General nervousness of farmers, priests and government increased to hysterical fear.

At the same time, he was sensitive to the domestic problems created by what he saw as a hysterical fear of international Communism.

At this cry a hysterical fear and dismay beset the troops.

There seemed to be an almost hysterical fear of being last.