Paris Syndrome
On occasion, Japanese citizens who travel to Paris suffer episodes of extreme depression. The depression can be so severe that it leads to hallucinations and psychosis. The Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota named this condition "Paris Syndrome." He speculated that it's caused by the difference between the idealized view of Paris that the travelers held and the reality that confronted them.
Recently, filmmaker John Menick created a short documentary about this syndrome. He describes it as:
Recently, filmmaker John Menick created a short documentary about this syndrome. He describes it as:
a short, cinematic essay analyzing the cultural implications of travel-related mental illnesses. The project places the syndrome within an ongoing history of cross-cultural relations; the emergence of a global tourist industry; and the creation of psychiatric schools of thought devoted to inter-cultural relations. In addition to the Parisian illness, Paris Syndrome also looks at a number of related issues: Stendhal Syndrome, an ailment experienced by traveling viewers of art (identified in Florence, Italy); the history of psychiatric portraiture; 19th-century mad travelers; and the changes in travel-related mental illnesses throughout history.
Comments
Anyone who even contemplates visiting Paris needs to seek psychiatric help immediately. The Disney movers and shakers who put EuroDisney at Paris should be lined up against the nearest wall and shot!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 08/13/12 at 09:27 AM
Considering the job related stress Japanese people are purported to suffer, maybe the depression is due to going back to the grind after a relaxing vacation. Lets face it very few things in this old world measure up to expectations.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 08/13/12 at 09:51 AM
I have never been to Paris, nor am I ever likely to go. But if I were ever to visit Tokyo I would probably suffer something of the same. Most of my mental view of that country comes from anime and japanese porn.
I'm sure the reality of it would be quite depressing.
I'm sure the reality of it would be quite depressing.
Posted by Rev on 08/13/12 at 11:05 AM
Didn't see Shogun or Tora! Tora! Tora! or The Seven Samurai?
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 08/13/12 at 11:17 AM
I kept looking at the calendar to check if today wasn't April 1st. The whole piece had the feel of "The Rutles - All You Need Is Cash".
Posted by KDP on 08/13/12 at 03:48 PM
Dang! And here I thought it was the jet-lag all along.
Posted by done on 08/14/12 at 08:59 PM
Commenting is not available in this channel entry.
Category: Travel | Psychology | Documentaries