What is Stendhal syndrome?

Artwork from historic cities can have a profound impact on tourists who visit them.

If you are an art lover and you are overwhelmed by a beautiful work or your hair stands on end when you enter a prestigious museum, Don’t worry, it’s normal. However, there are certain sensitive people who, in these situations, manifest the symptoms of Stendhal syndrome or also known as Florence syndrome, traveler stress or museum illness.

This peculiar psychosomatic phenomenon is triggered after observing works of great beauty. The story of its discovery, in addition to being coincidental, is very curious. Almost as much as the phenomenon itself. We invite you to meet her!

Its origin: the art of Florence

In 1817 Henri-Marie Beyle, a famous and prestigious French writer, He was touring Italy, with the aim of collecting information for his next book. Can you guess the pseudonym of this author? Stendhal!

During his visit to Florence, he visited every corner of the city. He was amazed by the art that came out of every pore of its streets: museums, churches, domes, landscapes, roofs, sculptures, facades, frescoes… Beyle wanted to enjoy it all.

When I was visiting the Basilica of Santa Croce, His perplexity, ecstasy and enthusiasm unleashed a series of physical ailments. Above all, cold sweats and a feeling of deep anguish. Her heart raced and she began to feel dizzy. He had to sit down and rest immediately and once he calmed down, he reflected.

As he later narrated in his book Naples and Florence: A trip from Milan to Reggio, His own experience provided psychology and medicine with valuable information.who argued in the following terms:

«I had reached that level of emotion in which the celestial sensations given by the Fine Arts and passionate feelings collide. Leaving Santa Croce, my heart was beating, life was exhausted in me, I was afraid of falling.

His crucial and detailed description of the phenomenon made it later known as Stendhal syndrome. in honor of the discovery of his symptomatological condition.

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Symptoms of Stendhal syndrome

Among the main symptoms are: tachycardia, sweating, palpitations, hot flashes, tremors, emotional tension and exhaustion. And in more serious cases, dizziness that led to vertigo or even depression.

An article published in Neurology points out that Graziella Magherini observed symptoms such as alterations in thoughts and emotions, as well as panic attacks, in visitors to Florence. She called this phenomenon “Stendhal syndrome.”

This Italian psychiatrist identified three large groups of relevant symptoms. In 66% of the cases she analyzed she observed alterations in thinking and changes in the perception of sounds and colors, feelings of persecution, guilt and anxiety.

In 29% of people, they noticed that they predominated emotional problems such as depression, feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy. However, he also found that feelings of grandeur and euphoria could occur.

Finally, he found that 5% of the subjects experienced somatic symptoms linked to anxiety, such as chest pain, sweating, fainting, palpitations and stomach discomfort.

For their part, the researchers of the magazine article Neurology, found in their own research that, with respect to pleasant sensations, 83% of the travelers surveyed accepted having had aesthetic pleasure. 62% felt intense emotions, while 33% experienced euphoria and 8% reported feelings of omnipotence.

Regarding the less pleasant reactions, 10% perceived slight changes in their perception; 4% felt some guilt and another 4% felt vulnerability. Additionally, 10% had a mild feeling of inadequacy and 6% experienced mild physical discomfort.

Some experts consider Stendhal syndrome as a psychosomatic illness, due to the bidirectional relationship that exists between the mind and the body. In this case, emotional overwhelm would cause the physical symptoms described above. Others classify it as a mental situation.

Risk factor’s

According to Guerrero, Rosselló and Ezpeleta the main triggers of the syndrome are the following: tiredness, insufficient night’s rest or the end of the trip.

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In general terms, the causes of this syndrome are in the experience of visiting a city that allows the person contemplate the indescribable beauty of art, the immensity of its past and the historical perspective that holds her.

Can anyone suffer from it?

The symptoms can affect anyone. We can all have exhaustion, dizziness and tachycardia. Furthermore, that moment may or may not coincide with us admiring a work of great beauty.

In general, it usually occurs in tourists and visitors to cities who are very sensitive to art. and whose main reason for the trip is his admiration. It usually begins in places that fascinate them and that, for some reason, contain a very intense emotional meaning for them.

How to cope

Below we will leave you some recommendations so that, if you travel to a city full of works of art, you can avoid and deal with Stendhal syndrome:

Get ready: If you think you might respond strongly to the works of art you are about to see, prepare yourself mentally before visiting a certain place. To do this, familiarize yourself with the works you will see, apply some relaxation techniques before and during the tour and plan your time.Recover energy: It is important that you take breaks that allow you to repair the energy expenditure you have had. Sit, sleep, clear your mind with other quiet activities, etc.Eat and hydrate: Eat properly, meeting your requirements for carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins. Also, stay hydrated.Limit exposure: Try not to spend too much time in front of works of art, this will reduce the possibility that you will begin to feel any of the symptoms of Stendhal syndrome.Do breathing exercises: If you start to feel overwhelmed, practice diaphragmatic breathing, distract yourself, and spend time in a quiet place clear of so much artistic stimulation.Share your emotions: Talk to another person about what you are experiencing, what you are thinking, and what is overwhelming you. Talking will allow you to have catharsis and see things from another perspective.Seek professional help: If symptoms are very severe, seek medical attention.

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Controversy: myth or reality?

Over the last decades, Stendhal syndrome has become a reference for the reaction of individuals when exposed to works of art. Particularly when they are beautiful or displayed in large numbers in one place. But, Like almost everything, it is not without controversy.

There is no doubt that when we listen to a song that brings back precious memories, we cannot help but get excited. Nor does it make our hair stand on end when we go to a play. Something moves us inside. Art is emotion.

Despite being recognized by a majority of clinical psychologists, others Questions are raised, they doubt it and consider it a simple myth. The latter believe that Stendhal syndrome is pure suggestion, that is, it is only in the mind. On the other hand, the most skeptical believe that the subconscious of visitors to the city plays tricks on them. Your suggestion leads them to feel different symptoms.

In recent years, tourism in Italy has increased greatly, art has become popular and democratized, and cases of this phenomenon have tripled in the hospitals of Florence. Hence the name Florence syndrome.

Economic motivation?

Florence was the cradle of the Renaissance and continues to be one of the most beautiful cities with the greatest artistic history. For this reason, the scientific community is concerned about the possible economic interests that may be behind this phenomenon, such as the intention to attract more visitors, increase revenue or a greater extension of the reputation of its beauty.

And what do you think? Is it just a way to attract the attention of new tourists or perhaps appreciating works of art for short periods of time can cause these physical alterations?