China Syndrome

The China syndrome (also known as loss-of-coolant accident) is a fictional nuclear reactor operations accident characterized by the severe meltdown of the core components of the reactor, which then burn through the containment vessel and the housing building, then notionally through the crust and body of the Earth until reaching the other side of the earth, which in the United States is jokingly referred to as being China.

In reality, under a complete loss of coolant scenario, the fast erosion phase of the concrete basement lasts for about an hour and progresses into about one meter depth, then slows to several centimeters per hour, and stops completely when the corium melt cools below the decomposition temperature of concrete (about 1100 °C). Complete melt-through can occur in several days even through several meters of concrete; the corium then penetrates several meters into the underlying soil, spreads around, cools and solidifies.

Paris Syndrome

Paris syndrome is a transient psychological disorder encountered by some individuals visiting or vacationing Paris (France). The symptoms include acute delusional states, hallucinations, feelings of persecution, derealization, depersonalization, anxiety and some psychosomatic manifestations such as dizziness, tachycardia and sweating.

This syndrome has much in common with the Jerusalem Syndrome and the Florence Syndrome.

It appears that Japanese tourists are especially susceptible and it may be linked to the popularity of Paris in Japanese culture, notably the idealized image of Paris prevalent in Japanese advertising. Some Japanese magazines create an illusion that Paris is a sexy and lush city where most people on the street look like fashion models and most women dress in high-fashion brands. Around twenty Japanese tourists a year are affected by the syndrome.

There appear to be some common triggers: the language barrier, cultural differences, the already mentioned idealized image of Paris and exhaustion. The latter is a combined effect of the long journey and the wish to experience too much of the city in to little time.

Lima Syndrome

The Lima Syndrome is an inverse of the Stockholm Syndrome in which abductors develop sympathy for their hostages. It was named after an abduction at the Japanese Embassy in Lima, Peru in 1996, when members of a militant movement, the Túpac Amaru, took hostage hundreds of people that were attending a party at the official residence of Japan’s ambassador. The hostages consisted of diplomats, government and military officials, and businessmen of many nationalities.

Within a few hours, the terrorists had freed most of the hostages, including the potentially valuable ones, such as the future President of Peru and the mother of the current President, owing to the terrorist feeling sympathy for their victims.

There are a number of reasons why this would happen. Maybe one or more of the kidnappers did not wholeheartedly agree with the plan or they just did not want to hurt innocent hostages. But maybe the main operational reason was that it is too difficult to keep such a large number of hostages in check. If the latter reason is true, then the Lima Syndrome is nothing more than a popular myth.

After being held hostage for 126 days, the remaining dignitaries were freed in a raid by Peruvian Armed Forces commandos, during which one hostage, two commandos, and all the Túpac Amaru terrorists died.

Smurf Syndrome

The Smurf Syndrome (also known as Argyria or Argyrosis) is a condition caused by inappropriate exposure to chemical compounds of the element silver or to silver dust. The main symptom of the Smurf Syndrome is a blue or bluish-grey discoloration of the skin. In humans and mammals, silver accumulates in the body. Chronic intake of silver products will result in an accumulation of silver particles in the skin. These particles in the skin darken with exposure to sunlight, resulting in the irreversible blue or bluish-gray discoloration of the skin.

In the olden days, when antibiotics weren't available to treat infections, people used all sorts of ‘medicines’. Scientific research has now shown that silver or colloidal silver (silver particles suspended in a liquid or gel) is completely useless[1].

But that uselessness and irreversible discoloration of the skin does not deter feeble-minded people to keep advocating its non-existing usefulness. Quacks keep selling it because,  rather than in science, some people will always put their trust in homeopathy or some other far-fetched theory.

[1] Storm-Versloot et al: Topical silver for preventing wound infection in The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - 2010

Red Man Syndrome

The Red Man Syndrome (also known as Red Neck Syndrome, erythroderma, exfoliative dermatitis or dermatitis exfoliatia) is an inflammatory skin disease with redness of the skin (erythema) and scaling that affects nearly the entire skin of the patient.

The most common cause of the Red Man Syndrome is exacerbation of an underlying skin disease, such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, lichen planus, pityriasis rubra pilaris or a drug reaction.

The antibiotic Vancomycin is the most common drug-induced cause for the Red Man Syndrome[1].

The symptoms may be treated or prevented with antihistamines.

[1] Wallace et al: Red man syndrome: incidence, etiology, and prophylaxis in Journal of Infectious Diseases - 1991

Ostrich Syndrome

The Ostrich Syndrome is a psychological problem that refers to some people when they are confronted by social, political, or controversial issues be that in their personal life or outside, and they would just rather ignore it or as the ostrich does, bury his head in the sand when confronted by danger hoping it will go away.

Issues like 'climate change' or 'smoking causes lung cancer' are scientifically proven, yet some do not even acknowledge its existence. Others still believe in UFO's or alien abductions even when all evidence is pointing to the contrary.

In The Netherlands there is a well-known proverb that translates as 'putting your head into the sand' (je kop in het zand steken') which also explains that the Ostrich Syndrome is known to virtually everybody.

Gang Stalking Syndrome

The Gang Stalking Syndrome is a delusion of persecution. This syndrome can affect people who endured high levels of psychological stress for extended periods of time in their lives. The patient will see every aspect of their troubled lives as being part of an elaborate stalking operation executed by the government or secret organisations. The internet plays a major role in perpetuating these delusions[1] because patients always seem to be able to find fellow-patients.

These patients can feel that mind control techniques may be used to ‘break’ them or that their alleged truth is suppressed. Furthermore, they also think that they themselves are completely sane and that the world is conspiring against them to force them to undergo psychiatric treatment.

The Gang Stalking Syndrome also shares many symptoms with Paranoid Personality Disorder. Patients do not understand that they need psychiatric help and even actively oppose it, claiming that it is part of the conspiracy.

Patients have even invented their own syndrome for those who deny their persecutory delusions. Those supposedly deluded people are 'suffering' from Gang Stalking Denial Syndrome because the government or some secret organisations are, in fact, out to get you but you just don't 'see' it.

[1] Lerner et al: "Internet delusions": the impact of technological developments on the content of psychiatric symptoms in Israel Journal of Psychiatry and related sciences - 2006

Ambras Syndrome

Ambras Syndrome (also known as Werewolf Syndrome and Hypertrichosis) is a genetic disorder and it causes an abnormal amount of hair growth over the body.

There are two distinct types of the Ambras Syndrome: [a] generalized, which occurs over the entire body, and [b] localized, which is restricted to a certain area. Ambras Syndrome can be either present at birth or acquired later in life.

The condition is quite rare, the first case was described less than 20 years ago and only a few dozen cases are known in medical literature[1]. There is no known cure for this problem.

The Ambras Syndrome can also be acquired later in life particularly due to cancer, drugs and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa.

Hypertrichosis is also known to very rarely occur in cats.

The alternative name of Werewolf Syndrome is sometimes also used for a rare psychiatric disorder that involves the delusion that the affected person can transform into, has already transformed into, or is a werewolf. That particular condition is also known as clinical lycanthropy.


[1] Rashid et al: A hairy development in hypertrichosis: a brief review of Ambras syndrome in Dermatology Online Journal - 2007

Auto-Brewery Syndrome

The Auto-Brewery Syndrome is a rare medical condition in which the patient has not touched a drop of alcoholic beverage but still intoxication quantities of alcohol are measured. This alcohol is being produced within the body itself through fermentation in the digestive system. This fermentation is caused by an overabundance of brewer's yeast in the gut.

The Auto-Brewery Syndrome is in most known cases an infection with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, better known as brewer’s yeast but other yeasts, such as Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis or Torulopsis glabrata[1], are also known to cause these problems. When a patient eats or drinks starchy foods, like pasta or even a soft drink, the yeast ferments the sugars into ethanol and the patient would get drunk.

Brewer's yeast is in a whole host of foods, including breads, wine and - of course - beer, and normally it does not cause any problem. In rare cases, though, the yeast can infest the gut and cause Auto-Brewery Syndrome.

[1] Bivin et al: Production of ethanol from infant food formulas by common yeasts in Journal of Applied Bacterial Biology - 1985

Medical Student Syndrome

The Medical Student Syndrome (also known as Medical Students' Disease, hypochondriasis of medical students, Medical Student Disorder, Medical School Syndrome, Third Year Syndrome, Second Year Syndrome or Intern's Syndrome) is a condition frequently reported[1] in medical students, who perceive themselves or others to be experiencing the symptoms of the disease(s) they are studying.

The Medical Student Syndrome features a range of different of psychiatric symptoms that affect the mood and behaviour of a medical student, especially during the first year of studying medicine or psychology. During their studies, medical students are continuously reading lists of symptoms for different diseases. Although physically and mentally completely healthy, they recognize some faint symptoms which were previously considered normal and feel that these symptoms should be regarded as a true sign of an illness.

This condition is not only recognized in medical students but also in students of psychology. It is even true that some students start a study of psychology to better understand themselves in the hope to ‘self-diagnose’ in order to cure themselves.

[1] Azuri et al: Reassuring the medical students' disease--health related anxiety among medical students in Medical Teacher - 2010

Mal de Débarquement Syndrome

The Mal de Débarquement Syndrome (shortened to MdDS) is a French phrase that can be translated as 'disembarkation sickness'. It is a condition that usually occurs after a cruise, aircraft flight, or other sustained motion event. Brief episodes of MdDS are quite common in healthy individuals: a study of navy crewmen after sea voyage showed that 72 % of 116 subjects experienced transient MdD immediately after disembarking from a ship, which resolved spontaneously.

But in some patients the symptoms persist. Symptoms most frequently reported[1] include a persistent internal sense of rocking, bobbing or swaying that appears after disembarking from a vessel. Also reported are symptoms like fatigue, difficulty concentrating, dizziness, visual disturbances (such as seeing motion, inability to focus etc.), headaches, confusion, and anxiety. Cognitive impairment may include an inability to recall words, short term memory loss, and an inability to multi-task.

Symptoms are increased by stress, lack of sleep, crowds, flickering lights, loud sounds, fast or sudden movements, enclosed areas or busy patterns.

In MdDS, the symptoms persist for more than a month, possibly for many years, and sometimes do not resolve at all. MdDS is thought to be a neurological syndrome with no known cause or cure.

[1] Cha et al: Clinical features and associated syndromes of mal de debarquement in Journal of Neurology – 2008 (pdf here)

Korean Fan Death Syndrome

The Korean Fan Death Syndrome is a typical culture bound syndrome. Koreans believe that during summer, in an enclosed room, an electric fan running directly on your body could kill you while you sleep. Elderly, children and people sleeping drunk are especially deemed at risk. To prevent this happening, all electric fans sold in Korea are equipped with a timer button that turns them off after a set number of minutes. This is perceived as a life-saving function, particularly essential for bedtime use.

How does a simple electric fan kill you? Koreans can think of a number of possible explanations. The first is that if the fan is used directly on your body it causes suffocation, because the fast-moving air around your face makes inhalation difficult. Secondly, some Koreans also think that breathing through skin constitutes a significant proportion of breathing and the fast-moving air caused by the fan makes the skin-breathing difficult, leading to suffocation. The third explanation is hypothermia, (an abnormally low body temperature).

The origins of this syndrome are unclear, but fears about electric fans date almost to the time of their introduction in Korea, with stories dating to the 1920s and 1930s warning of the risks of nausea, asphyxiation, and facial paralysis from this 'new technology'.

In fact most of these deaths are from natural causes, such as cardiac arrest, while some deaths remain unexplained.

Korean media must take the blame for the persistence of this urban myth: each year inaccurate reports keep appearing in newspapers and on television, perpetuating the myth.

Lavender Town Syndrome

The Lavender Town Syndrome (also known as Lavender Town Tone, Lavender Town Conspiracy or Lavender Town Suicides) is an urban legend. There was a supposed peak in suicides and illness of children between the ages of 7-12 in February 1996, shortly after the release of Pokémon Red and Green in Japan.

Rumours say that these suicides and illness only occurred after the children, that were playing the game, reached Lavender Town, whose theme music was creepy since the ambiance of the town was that of a graveyard, and had extremely high frequencies, that only children and young teens were able hear, since their ears are still more sensible than those of adults.

Due to the Lavender Tone, at least two-hundred children supposedly committed suicide, and many more developed illnesses and afflictions. The children who committed suicide usually did so by hanging or jumping from heights. Those who did not acted irrationally complained of severe headaches after listening to the Lavender Town's theme.

Vietnam Syndrome

The Vietnam Syndrome is a psychological and political term that is solely used in the United States. It is used in right-wing conservative public political rhetoric and political analysis, to describe the perceived impact of the domestic controversy over the Vietnam War on US foreign policy after the end of that war in 1975.

Since the early 1980s, the public opinion is biased against war or intervention (which is a bit of an obscure way of saying ‘war’). American conservative politicians and right-wing television channels argue that bad memories of the Vietnam War (scandals, protests, images of killed and wounded soldiers, etc.) have caused the American people to distrust any type of war at all. As a result, they argue, any attempt by the United States to engage in a military conflict will be viewed by the American people as "another Vietnam."

Nonetheless, The US government is still thinking in terms of the ‘old world’, where America was powerful enough to end every conflict. In the ‘new world’ wars tend to end in a quagmire of problems (Iraq, Afghanistan, etc) and that only proves that the American public is right in thinking that ‘make peace, not war’ is the only way forward.

Stockholm Syndrome

The Stockholm Syndrome (also known as capture–bonding) can be regarded as a form of traumatic bonding. It is a psychological phenomenon in which hostages express empathy and sympathy and have positive feelings toward their captors, sometimes to the point of defending them. These feelings are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims, who essentially mistake a lack of abuse from their captors for an act of kindness.

If one tries to explain the effect of Stockholm syndrome it can be suggested that the bonding is the individual’s response to trauma in becoming a victim. Identifying with the aggressor is one way that the ego defends itself. When a victim believes the same values as the aggressor, they cease to be a threat.

Although the syndrome is named after the Swedish capital Stockholm, the most famous case was Patty Hearst (1954), an American newspaper heiress, socialite, actress, kidnap victim, and convicted bank robber. She is the granddaughter of publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst and gained fame in 1974 when she joined the so-called Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) after they had kidnapped her.

Battered-person syndrome is another example of activating the capture–bonding psychological mechanism, as are military basic training and fraternity bonding by hazing (the practice of rituals and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group).

Othello Syndrome

The Othello Syndrome (also known as morbid jealousy or delusional jealousy) is obviously named after the character in the tragedy ‘The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice’, wherein Othello murdered his wife Desdemona out of intense distrust.

The syndrome is a psychiatric disorder in which the patient holds a strong but delusional belief that their is being unfaithful without having any, very little, or insignificant proof to back up their claim. This results in making incessant groundless accusations of infidelity, taking considerable pains to test their mate’s trustworthiness even to the extent of displaying stalking and violent behaviour. The Othello Syndrome also borders on a paranoid personality disorder.

People who are very insecure or even fearful are more likely to become anxious or question their partner’s commitment to them. For men the strongest trigger is sexual infidelity and with women the strongest trigger is emotional infidelity. Alcohol and drug misuse has a well-recognized association with morbid jealousy.

The Othello Syndrome is a more common psychiatric side effect in patients with Parkinson's Disease[1] or dementia[2]. It is a very disturbing symptom for patients and their partners, often underestimated by them.

[1] Cannas et al: Othello syndrome in Parkinson disease patients without dementia in Neurologist - 2009
[2] Cipriani et all: Dangerous passion: Othello syndrome and dementia in Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences - 2012

Rapunzel Syndrome

The Rapunzel syndrome is a rare intestinal condition in humans resulting from eating hair ones own hair, a syndrome psychologically known as trichophagia. It is a medical condition characterized by intestinal obstruction caused by hair ingestion, and occurs mostly in patients diagnosed with trichotillomania, a psychological condition manifested by an uncontrollable urge to pull out their own head and body hair. Medically this human hairball is called a trichobezoar.

The syndrome is named after the fairy tale princess with amazingly long-flowing hair as told in one of the stories of the Brothers Grimm.

Because humans are unable to digest their own hair, the trichobezoar may have to be removed surgically.

Couvade Syndrome

The Couvade Syndrome (also known as sympathetic pregnancy), is a condition in which an – obviously - male partner experiences some of the same symptoms and behaviour of an expectant mother.

The symptoms may include stomach pain, back pain, indigestion, changes in appetite, weight gain, diarrhea, constipation, headache, toothache, cravings, nausea, breast augmentation, hardening of the nipple, and insomnia. The labor pain symptom is commonly known as sympathy pain.

Couvade syndrome is not a recognized medical condition but it does exist. Some believe it to be a psychosomatic condition[1], while others believe it may have biological causes relating to hormone changes.

The term "couvade" is borrowed from French (where it is derived from the verb couver 'to brood, to hatch'); the use in the modern sense derives from a misunderstanding of an earlier idiom faire la couvade, which meant "to sit doing nothing."

[1] Masoni et al: The couvade syndrome in Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology - 1994

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine Syndrome

The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine (USA) were a group of early 19th century lumberjacks who exhibited a rare disorder of unknown origin. The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine syndrome entails an exaggerated "startle" reflex which may be described as an uncontrollable "jump" but individuals with this condition can exhibit sudden movements in all parts of the body. Individuals with this condition were first found in the northern regions of Maine, hence the name for the condition.

This syndrome shares symptoms with other startle disorders.

Individuals would obey any command given suddenly, even if it meant striking a loved one; the patients seemed to react abnormally to sudden stimuli. More common and less intense symptoms consist of jumping, yelling and hitting. Others exhibited echolalia (repeating vocalizations made by another person) and echopraxia (repeating movements made by another person).

Jumping Frenchmen of Maine Syndrome may be a cultural personality or a formed habit[1]. These French "jumpers" lived in a very remote region. This type of small communities would allow for a majority to adapt to this sort of reaction.

[1] Saint-Hilaire et al: Jumping Frenchmen of Maine in Neurology - 1986

Puerto Rican Syndrome

The Puerto Rican Syndrome (also known as ataque de nervios) is a psychological syndrome most associated with Spanish-speaking people from the Caribbean, although recognized in Latin Americans and Hispanic and Latino Americans.

Ataque de nervios translates into English as 'attack of nerves', although it is used in its common cultural form to refer to a specific pattern of symptoms, rather than being a general term for feeling nervous. The condition appears in Appendix I of the revised fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV-TR) as a culture-bound syndrome.

Symptoms include attacks of crying, trembling, uncontrollable shouting, physical or verbal aggression, and intense heat in the chest moving to the head[1]. These ataques are often associated with stressful events, such as death of a loved one, divorce or separation, or witnessing an accident including a family member.

[1] Hinton et al: A model of the generation of ataque de nervios: the role of fear of negative affect and fear of arousal symptoms in CNS Neuroscience and Therapeutics - 2009

Florence Syndrome

The Florence Syndrome (also known as Stendhal Syndrome or hyperkulturemia) is a psychosomatic disorder. It is a physical response to extreme, overpowering beauty. The symptoms may include a racing heartbeat, vertigo, fainting, confusion and even hallucinations.

[Michelangelo's David]

These symptoms usually occur when the victim is exposed to particularly beautiful classical art or a high concentration of classical art (sculptures, paintings, etc). The term can also be used to describe a similar reaction to a surfeit of choice in other circumstances, e.g. when confronted with immense beauty in the natural world.

The Florence Syndrome is well documented, especially in the Tuscan city. According to The Telegraph[1]: “Staff at Florence’s Santa Maria Nuova hospital are accustomed to dealing with tourists suffering from dizzy spells and disorientation after admiring the statue of David.”

[1] See here.

CSI Syndrome

The CSI Syndrome (also known as the CSI Effect or the CSI Infection) is the non-medical term of exaggerated portrayal of forensic science on crime television shows such as CSI (Crime Scene Investigation) and its seemingly endless spin-offs influences public perception. Furthermore, the way the actors annoyingly seem to know everything about everything they encounter ensures that real investigators dismiss the series as being untruthful.

The CSI Syndrome also gives the false impression that forensic evidence is becoming more and more important, even while it is known that this sort of evidence can be manipulated. As a result, confessions and circumstantial evidence are diminishing in value.

It is also possible that forensic science shows teach criminals how to better conceal evidence of their crimes, thereby making it more difficult for investigators to solve cases.

Sherlock Holmes Syndrome

Because Sherlock Holmes is such an iconic fictional character, some have used his name to explain some traits that could be explained by his behaviour.

The Sherlock Holmes Syndrome is based on the inability of Sherlock Holmes’ brain to remain inactive for any length of time. It is best described in Sir Arthur Conan Doyles novel ‘The Sign of Four’ where Holmes is quoted as saying: “My mind,” he said, “rebels at stagnation. Give me problems, give me work, give me the most abstruse cryptogram or the most intricate analysis, and I am in my own proper atmosphere. I can dispense then with artificial stimulants. But I abhor the dull routine of existence. I crave for mental exaltation.”