The Parisian syndrome affects tourists visiting Paris who feel disappointed with the appearance and atmosphere of the French capital. The contrast between Paris, which they know from romantic films and postcards, and the realities of the city causes them frustration and causes symptoms of illness: anxiety, shortness of breath, dizziness, increased heart rate, and even hallucinations and delusions.

Paris Syndromewas first diagnosed in the 1980s by a Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ot, who worked in a Parisian hospital. He noticed then that many of his compatriots who report to the hospital after arriving in Paris complained of symptoms resembling psychological shock or depression. While similar symptoms were seen in many tourists over the following years, the Paris Syndrome was ultimately not included in the official classification of mental illness. It is rather considered a disease that affects a small percentage of tourists coming to a new place - mainly Japanese. The statistics of the Japanese embassy show that every year about 20 citizens of this country are affected by the Paris syndrome (meanwhile, 6 million tourists come to Paris every year).

Parisian syndrome - symptoms

The symptoms of the Paris syndrome are mental and somatic. The first are:

  • anxiety
  • delusions
  • hallucinations
  • stalking man
  • depersonalization
  • derealization

In turn, the following somatic symptoms are observed:

  • shortness of breath
  • dizziness
  • accelerated pulse
  • sweating
  • vomiting

Paris syndrome - causes

In 2012, an article about the Paris syndrome was published in one of the French psychological journals Nervure. It lists 4 main reasons for the occurrence of this disorder among the Japanese.

  1. Language barrier- it has been recognized as the main cause of the Paris syndrome. It points to large differences between Japanese and French and the related difficulties in translating the meaning of certain phrases from one language to another. This causes a lot of confusion in the Japanese.
  2. Cultural differences- compared to the French, cultureJapanese is more official, and people are more conservative in relationships with others. That is why Japanese people who come to Paris feel uncomfortable when they have to associate with people who openly show their emotions and communicate very freely.
  3. Idealized image of Paris- in Japanese popular culture Paris is presented as a city from a dreamland, full of beautiful architecture, monuments, romantic streets and atmospheric alleys. The clash with reality causes shock and depression in some tourists.
  4. Fatigue- Paris syndrome can exacerbate too much sightseeing and the resulting fatigue. Tourists from as far away as Japan often want to see as many monuments as possible in the shortest possible time, which, combined with a change of time zone, can cause physical and mental exhaustion.

Parisian syndrome - can it affect Polish tourists?

Although the Paris syndrome is mainly observed in the Japanese, in fact, any tourist can feel some of its symptoms. The disorder in most people does not have such a turbulent course, but unpleasant thoughts and feelings can spoil anyone's dream trip to the city of lovers. There are many Polish tourists who, after returning from Paris, complain about the noise, dirt, kilometer-long queues to attractions, imposing street vendors, homeless people …

You have to remember that Paris is not an open-air museum frozen in time, but a modern, vibrant city inhabited by people of various races, cultures and nationalities. Before going to France, it is better not to watch naive comedies showing Paris only in colorful colors, but to get acquainted with real accounts of modern tourists telling about the light and dark sides of the French capital. Getting acquainted with the sober gaze of an outsider can not only prevent later disappointment, but also provide valuable information and practical advice on visiting the city.

Category:

Psychology