Maybe that's what Wellman is going for.
Here are the classic definitions:
1 .deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion.
"hysterical laughter"
synonyms: overwrought, overemotional, out of control, frenzied, frantic, wild, feverish, crazed; More
informal
extremely funny.
"her attempts to teach them to dance were hysterical"
synonyms: hilarious, uproarious, very funny, very amusing, comical, farcical; More
2. PSYCHIATRY
relating to, associated with, or suffering from hysteria.
"the doctor thinks the condition is partly hysterical"
Each seems to dead on target.
Here are the classic definitions:
1 .deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion.
"hysterical laughter"
synonyms: overwrought, overemotional, out of control, frenzied, frantic, wild, feverish, crazed; More
informal
extremely funny.
"her attempts to teach them to dance were hysterical"
synonyms: hilarious, uproarious, very funny, very amusing, comical, farcical; More
2. PSYCHIATRY
relating to, associated with, or suffering from hysteria.
"the doctor thinks the condition is partly hysterical"
Each seems to dead on target.