Hello usagent~
The Jerusalem Syndrome is a name psychologists give to self-declared
prophets, messiahs, etc. who flock to the Holy City...especially The
Wailing Wall. This syndrome was first identified by Dr. Yair Bar El (a
former director of the Kfar Shaul Psychiatric Hospital, and now
district psychiatrist for the Ministry of Health) in the 1930s. You
are most likely to see The Jerusalem Syndrome in action around
religious holidays--as well as during the months of July and August.
Those with known psychiatric problems are sometimes said to have The
Jerusalem Syndrome, but the label is more correctly applied to those
with no psychiatric history, who suddenly find themselves behaving in
extraordinarily religious ways upon visiting the Holy City.
In the truest cases, the syndrome begins with a feeling of anxiety and
nervousness. Later, the person in question cannot resist visiting holy
places. Later, they may find themselves involved in purification
rituals, (like shaving all body hair, cutting nails, and washing
repeatedly). Crying and the singing of religious songs is also common,
and "victims" of the syndrome often deliver sermons asking others to
live pure lives and be less materialistic.
In 1999, more than 50 tourists were diagnosed with Jerusalem Syndrome.
97% of those affected are Protestants. The Syndrome has also been
reported among Jews and, in rare cases, Catholics.
In a week's time, most patients are "cured."
The Florence Syndrome is similar to The Jerusalem Syndrome in some
ways, and is typified by tourists who behave in a bizarre fashion in
the city of Florence. This syndrome, however, appears to be triggered
not by religion, but by the very history of the city
itsely--especially it's historical art.
Between 1980 and 1990, 106 cases of The Florence Syndrome were
documented. The most affected seem to be women under 40, traveling
alone. The symptoms include giddiness, exaltation, pains in the chest,
panic attacks, and, ultimately, depression. Italians and the Japanese
are rarely affected.
As with The Jerusalem Syndrome, true "victims" of the Florence
Syndrome have no psychiatric history.
The syndrome is also known as "The Stendhhal Syndrome," after a writer
who experienced and wrote of his own experience with the syndrome
during his 1817 visit to the city. The Florence Syndrome was given a
name until 1982.
There appears to be no direct link between the two syndromes, except
that they affect those with no previous psychiatric problems. Patients
in both cases can also "cure" themselves within a short period of
time. Those who are affected by The Jerusalem Syndrome are often
embarrassed by their behavior in the Holy City; embarrassment does not
always (or frequently) follow The Florence Syndrome. To a degree, both
syndromes may be said to stem from a city's great history.
A brief article on The Florence Syndrome:
://www.google.com/search?q=%22Stendhal+Syndrome%22+-movie+-dvd+-vhs&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=40&sa=N
Here's an article (in French) on the subject:
://www.google.com/search?q=Florence+syndrome&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&start=30&sa=N
For a good overall look at The Jerusalem Syndrome and the type of
people most affected by it, visit this website:
http://www.us-israel.org/jsource/History/jersynd.html
Another interesting article on the Jerusalem Syndrome:
http://www.savvytraveler.com/show/features/2000/20000603/jerusalem.shtml
An article about the history of the Syndrome:
http://www.xproject.net/archives/paranormal/jerusalemsyndrome.html
Keywords Used:
"Jerusalem Syndrome"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=Jerusalem+Syndrome&btnG=Google+Search
"Stendhal Syndrome" -movie -dvd -vhs
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=%22Stendhal+Syndrome%22+-movie+-dvd+-vhs&btnG=Google+Search
Hope this helps,
kriswrite |
