Stendhal Syndrome
noun phrase

- a condition in which someone is affected very strongly both physically and mentally by looking at or experiencing a piece of art

The Cambridge Dictionary

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The term "Stendhal Syndrome" refers to a psychosomatic condition in which individuals experience intense emotional or physical reactions—such as dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or even fainting—when exposed to overwhelming beauty, particularly in art.

The syndrome is named after the 19th-century French author Marie-Henri Beyle, who wrote under the pen name “Stendhal”. In his 1817 book, 'Naples and Florence: A Journey from Milan to Reggio', Stendhal described feeling overwhelmed by the beauty of Florence’s art and architecture, particularly at the Basilica of Santa Croce. He wrote:

"I was in a sort of ecstasy... absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty... I had palpitations of the heart, what in Berlin they call 'nerves’. Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling.”

The modern term "Stendhal Syndrome" was introduced in the 1980s by Italian psychiatrist Graziella Magherini, who observed similar symptoms in tourists visiting Florence. She documented cases where individuals exhibited dizziness, confusion, or euphoria after encountering masterpieces of art.

While not officially recognized in diagnostic manuals like the DSM-5*, Stendhal Syndrome is widely referenced in cultural discussions about the emotional power of art. It highlights the profound psychological impact that beauty and artistic experiences can have on sensitive individuals.

*5th edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

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SEVEN SYNDROMES
Frequently mentioned in news media and literature

1. Stockholm Syndrome = hostages developing positive feelings toward captors

2. Imposter Syndrome = feeling undeserving of success despite achievements

3. Savant Syndrome = extraordinary abilities alongside developmental disorders

4. Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD) = trauma-related mental health condition

5. Obsessive-Compulsive Syndrome (OCD) = anxiety disorder with compulsive behaviours

6. Tourette's Syndrome = neurological disorder with vocal/motor tics

7. Munchausen Syndrome = faking illness for attention

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SYNONYMS

- for “ecstacy”

absorbed in bliss, beatitude, beside oneself with joy, blessedness, bliss, blissed out, blissfulness, carried away, cloud nine, delectation, delight(s), deliriousness, delirium, elation, enchantment, enrapture, euphoria, exaltation,  exhilaration, floating on air, flying high, heaven, high spirits, in heaven (paradise, rapture, seventh heaven), inspiration, intense joy, intoxicated with joy, intoxication, joy, joyfulness, joyousness, jubilation, nirvana, on cloud nine, on top of the world, over the moon, overjoyed, overwhelmed with joy, paradise, passion, pure joy, rapture, seventh heaven, sheer delight, soaring, struck with joy, swept away, thrilled to bits, touched by angels, trance, transcendent, transported, uplifted, walking on air, wild with joy

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Visitors to Florence sometimes report experiencing STENDHAL SYNDROME while admiring its breathtaking art.”

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