Jerusalem syndrome
A disputed psychosis triggered by visiting Jerusalem.
Jerusalem syndrome refers to a set of mental phenomena in which a person develops religiously themed ideas or experiences during a visit to Jerusalem. It is not limited to any single faith, having been observed among Jews, Christians, and Muslims from various backgrounds. The condition is not recognized in either the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Classification of Diseases.
The most famous, though not the most common, form of Jerusalem syndrome (classified as Type III) involves a person with no prior signs of mental illness becoming psychotic after arriving in the city. This psychosis is intensely religious in nature and typically resolves fully within a few weeks or after the individual leaves the area. This religious focus sets Jerusalem syndrome apart from similar phenomena like Stendhal syndrome in Florence or Paris syndrome in Paris.
A 2000 article in the British Journal of Psychiatry by Bar-El et al. reported 42 cases of Type III Jerusalem syndrome over 13 years, and explicitly stated that all 42 cases resolved fully within a few weeks or after leaving Jerusalem, confirming the temporary nature of the condition. This claim has been disputed by researchers M. Kalian and E. Witztum, who argued that nearly all tourists displaying these behaviors were already mentally ill before arriving in Jerusalem. They also noted that Bar-El et al. provided no evidence that the small number of tourists alleged to have developed spontaneous psychosis had been mentally healthy prior to their visit.
Historically, Jerusalem syndrome was once considered a form of hysteria, called *fièvre Jérusalemienne* (French for "Jerusalemian fever"). It was first clinically described in the 1930s by Jerusalem psychiatrist Heinz Hermann, a founder of modern psychiatric research in Israel. Whether the behaviors are specifically caused by visiting Jerusalem is debated, as similar behaviors have been observed at other religious and historical sites, such as Mecca and Rome (see Stendhal syndrome). Cases were documented as early as the Middle Ages, appearing in the itinerary of Felix Fabri and the biography of Margery Kempe, and were also described in 19th-century travel literature about Jerusalem.
Bar-El et al.
- Field
- Psychiatry
- Known for
- Religiously themed psychosis triggered by visiting Jerusalem
- First clinically described
- 1930s by Jerusalem psychiatrist Heinz Hermann
- Type iii prevalence
- 42 cases reported over 13 years by Bar-El et al., all of which resolved fully within weeks
- Annual tourist referrals
- 100 on average, 40 requiring hospital admission
Lore & Background
Jerusalem syndrome had previously been regarded as a form of hysteria, referred to as fièvre Jérusalemienne. It was first clinically described in the 1930s by Jerusalem psychiatrist Heinz Hermann, one of the founders of modern psychiatric research in Israel. Cases of the syndrome had already been observed during the Middle Ages, since it was described in the itinerary of Felix Fabri and the biography of Margery Kempe, and other cases were described in the vast literature of visitors to Jerusalem during the 19th century.
Reader's Guide
The best-known manifestation of Jerusalem syndrome (classified as Type III) is the phenomenon whereby a person who seems previously balanced and devoid of any signs of psychopathology becomes psychotic after arriving in Jerusalem. The psychosis is characterised by an intense religious theme and typically resolves to full recovery after a few weeks or after being removed from the area. However, this claim has been disputed by M. Kalian and E. Witztum, who stressed that nearly all of the tourists who demonstrated the described behaviours were mentally ill prior to their arrival in Jerusalem. They further noted that, of the small proportion of tourists alleged to have exhibited spontaneous psychosis after arrival in Jerusalem, Bar-El et al. had presented no evidence that the tourists had been well prior to their arrival in the city. Whether or not these behaviors specifically arise from visiting Jerusalem is debated, as similar behaviors have been noted at other places of religious and historical importance, such as Mecca and Rome.
Did You Know?
- Jerusalem syndrome is not listed as a recognised condition in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Classification of Diseases.
- During a 13-year period (1980–1993), 1,200 tourists with severe, Jerusalem-themed mental problems were referred to the Kfar Shaul Mental Health Center in Jerusalem.
- The religious focus of Jerusalem syndrome distinguishes it from the related phenomena of Stendhal syndrome in Florence or Paris syndrome in Paris.
- Bar-El et al. reported 42 cases of Type III Jerusalem syndrome over 13 years, but in no case were they able to confirm that the condition was temporary.
More in Culture-bound syndromes 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced