Each city has a story.
Some are fun while some elevate strong emotions.
These strong emotions can have a characteristic impact resulting in syndromes.
Let’s talk about these today, so that it propels the detective in you to travel and unravel, these curious cases of Geographical Syndromes
Jerusalem Syndrom
Delusions and religious psychosis triggered by a visit to the capital of Israel. Jerusalem Syndrome has affected many, both not so well balanced and also those devoid of any signs of psychopathology. A pilgrimage for Jews, Christians, and Muslims. The promenades and walls of the city accentuate the Godliness within religious minds. The strange symptoms include random ill- framed sermons from the victims, or processions to holy places of the city, self declaration of being a Messiah.
Paris Syndrome
A type of extreme cultural shock. This syndrome was predominantly noted in Japanese travellers upon seeing that Paris wasn’t that place as they had expected to be. Perhaps Japanese media is to be blamed for this, which idealized the French Capital as the ‘perfect fashion and romance destination’.
Symptoms include dizziness, increased heart rate, nausea, fainting.
Adding to that are the linguistic barriers and cultural differences.
The Japanese Embassy in Paris once had a 24-hour help-line to assist Japanese tourists with this syndrome.
Florence Syndrome
AKA Stendhal Syndrome, Florence Syndrome is a physical response to overpowering creative stimuli . Symptoms are similar to the Paris syndrome but with hallucinations. This has been documented many a times, when the victim is exposed to a high concentration of classical art (sculpture, painting, music, and string pictures) or even breathtaking natural beauty.
Stockholm Syndrome
AKA capture-bonding. Portrayed impeccably by Imtiaz Ali in the movie ‘Highway’.
Stockholm Syndrome was coined when employees of Kreditbanken, held hostage in the robbery in 1973, developed sympathy for their captors.
Apparently, the syndrome arises because victim has more sense of empathy than hatred towards his/her captor.
Lima Syndrome
AKA the anti Stockholm Syndrome, Lima Syndrome is when hostage takers become sympathetic to the needs and feelings of their victims. This is coined after the Japanese embassy hostage crisis in Lima. The militants had released most of the captives within a few days of capture. Reasons can be internal disagreements, apathy or even the ‘heel face turn’ effect. The heroic face of the villain.
London Syndrome
Belligerence and non-co-operation in a hostage situation. First reported during the 1981 Iranian Embassy siege in London, when one of the hostages continuously argued with the hostage takers, against the will of his fellow captives. This is one of the most common settings used in staged dramas and TV serials.
India Syndrome
Not at all related to traffic jams and not Delhi Belly for sure.
India Syndrome applies to people from the west visiting India to seek enlightenment, or to those with a deep interest in eastern mysticism.
The condition has resulted in many foreigners suffering, going missing, or in some extreme cases, dying. Not just due to mystical reasons.
Bonus:
Liverpool Syndrome
A person’s belief that their previously successful football club is still universally revered and feared, despite a visible dearth of competitive success in the last two to three decades.
So here is a list of the most common geographical syndromes, which one are you planning to challenge next?
Do let us know.
(Picture Credit : stuyalumni.org, smugmug.com, pixabay, monument-tracker.com, fotoakuten.se, kayhan.london, youtube, wondermondo.com, fotoakuten.se)
