the timboucher experience

Just came across mention of a rather interesting pscyhological phenomenon which has been termed “The Jerusalem Syndrome.” It seems to consist - in its purest form - of otherwise psychologically normal people who suddenly become enraptured upon visiting the city of Jerusalem. This condition was first noted in the 1930’s, according to Wikipedia. Generally, they believe that they have been inhabited by various Biblical figures, and things like that. A doctor who has treated these cases says:

The same clinical picture always emerges. It begins with general anxiety and nervousness, and then the tourist feels an imperative need to visit the holy places. First, he undertakes a series of purification rituals, like shaving all his body hair, cutting his nails and washing himself over and over before he dons white clothes. Most often, he lifts the white sheets from his hotel room. Then he begins to cry or to sing Biblical or religious songs in a very loud voice. The next step is an actual visit to the holy places, most often from the life of Jesus. The afflicted tourist begins to deliver a sermon, demanding that humanity become calmer, purer, and less materialistic.

Supposedly, these people go back to normal in 5-7 days. Although there are two other types of people who have more lasting problems. These are generally considered people who had existing psychosis before arriving in Jerusalem, and others who had latent psychosis which was triggered by their arrival. This is also interesting:

From a religious point of view, the Syndrome seems to favor Protestants, who account for 97 percent of all cases. Almost all of them were raised in ultra-orthodox homes where the Bible was the book of choice for family reading and problem-solving.

…

John The Baptist is the most popular Jerusalem syndrome choice for Christian men. Christian women prefer the Virgin Mary. For Jews of both sexes, the identification is generally with the Messiah.

There are a couple really interesting case studies of different people afflicted with the syndrome on that site as well. The first thing that it reminds me of, personally, is Philip K. Dick’s experiences. He talks about how he believed that he was inhabited by a figure from Biblical times named Thomas, and that he could hear the thoughts of this other personality which was laminated onto his own. According to some of the things he talks about, maybe these people are spontaneously cross-bonding with the plasmate, the Divine Source of living information, Hagia Sophia or Holy Wisdom. I imagine if that sort of thing did happen to people spontaneously, that they would be psychologically not equipped to handle it, and would just be seen as psychotic, like those described in this syndrome.

• Nodding syndrome
• Restless Leg Syndrome & Compulsive Gambling
• Stockholm syndrome
• Capgras and Bonnet Syndromes
• Strange Syndromes