Paris syndrome – a mental disorder caused by frustration

Paris is a whole world of romance! Having visited the capital of France, every traveler is delighted with the sights he has seen. But some tourists, on the contrary, have a hard time. It is so hard that the usual disappointment develops into a real mental disorder.

We are talking about the so-called Paris syndrome. For the first time, it was detected in Japanese who visited the French capital. And the cause of the syndrome was a huge difference between the actual Paris and the one that is shown on television, painted in pictures and sung in verse.

The Japanese psychiatrist Hiroaki Ota, who works at the famous Saint Anne Hospital in Paris (the Saint Anne Hospital Center has been specializing in psychiatry and neurology since 1863), declared the disorder. After examining a compatriot who visited Paris, Ota noticed symptoms similar to depression. Communication with other "victims" showed a number of patterns that the Japanese encountered after the trip.

First of all, the language barrier. France attracts all tourists with its culture, literature, architectural monuments and the melodious language of the locals. At the same time, the French themselves do not differ in their knowledge of foreign languages, so they are not very hospitable with tourists. As a result, the guests of the city are left to themselves, which in the long run leads to loneliness and causes depression.

The second reason is the differences in mentality. The Japanese adhere to the group principles of community, the French are completely satisfied with individualistic relationships. They are characterized by emotional and eccentric behavior, while the Japanese, on the contrary, are restrained and balanced.

But the most likely cause of the Paris syndrome, Dr. Hiroaki Ota called the discrepancy between the real Paris and the one that tourists fantasize about. A romantic city, a dream city! Streets with cozy cafes, flowers in flowerpots, the smell of freshly baked croissants and fragrant coffee!

In fact, it turns out that Paris is a huge metropolis with strings of cars, crowds of people running about their business, annoying souvenir sellers and clouds of dust. Many people do not stand this "reality test" and fall into depression. Some tourists manage to restore their psyche on their own, but in neglected cases one cannot do without professional help.

Of course, not all people who have visited Paris will be disappointed. But it's up to you to go there or not. In extreme cases, if you really want to see the Eiffel Tower, then you can do it even in Russia.