Podcast Summary: "Hysterical" Episode from Dying For Sex
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Host: Wondery
Guest Voices: Nikki Boyer, Dr. Jennifer McVig, Emily, Jessica, Mr. Mihalik, Lynn Belluccio
1. Introduction to "Hysterical"
The episode begins with Nikki Boyer introducing "Hysterical," a podcast lauded as the Podcast of the Year at the Danbys. She teases a gripping narrative about a mysterious illness affecting high school girls in upstate New York, challenging perceptions of mental and physical health.
Nikki Boyer [00:00]: "When Molly's diagnosed with stage IV breast cancer, she decides to do something bold..."
2. The Mysterious Onset
A YouTube video from December 2011 introduces a teenage girl experiencing unexplained symptoms. Lacking social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram at the time, her plea for help highlights her confusion and desperation.
Teenage Girl [01:10]: "I'm 16, I am in 11th grade and I play softball like all the time."
She describes episodes of passing out during a concert and homecoming dance, accompanied by motor tics and vocal noises, escalating to more severe symptoms.
Teenage Girl [01:40]: "Recently, last August, I had passed out at a concert."
3. Escalation of Symptoms and Community Response
As more teenage girls from Leroy Junior Senior High School exhibit similar symptoms, the community grapples with fear and skepticism. Initial disbelief leads to accusations of faking for attention, exacerbating the situation.
Jessica [05:31]: "Seriously, why would we fake this?"
Dr. Jennifer McVig, a neurologist at the Dent Neurologic Institute in Buffalo, identifies the pattern among her patients, suspecting a connection despite HIPAA restrictions.
Dr. Jennifer McVig [07:11]: "The vocalizations were so characteristic and so loud that I'm like, this is interesting."
4. The Town of Leroy: A Character in the Story
Leroy, New York, serves as the backdrop, with its unique quirks and history tied to the local Jell-O factory. Lynn Belluccio, the town historian, provides insights into Leroy's culture and traditions, adding depth to the setting.
Lynn Belluccio [12:02]: "The family that the town is named after is Leroy Herman."
The mysterious illness disrupts the town's fabric, leading to distrust among residents and uncertainty about the future.
5. Personal Accounts: Emily and Jessica
Emily and Jessica, two students from Leroy High, share their personal experiences with the outbreak. Emily recounts being labeled an outcast before joining the marching band, while Jessica reflects on her disdain for high school exacerbated by the crisis.
Emily [16:22]: "Everybody's known each other since kindergarten because nobody goes anywhere."
Their narratives illustrate the human impact of the mysterious illness, highlighting themes of isolation, fear, and the struggle for understanding.
6. The Role of Educators and School Officials
Mr. Mihalik, the marching band teacher, describes the escalating severity of the symptoms and the challenges faced in managing the situation within the school environment.
Mr. Mihalik [21:00]: "These kids are just totally normal. And then next thing you know, they're going blah."
School officials attempt to quell fears by assuring parents of their efforts to investigate, yet the community remains on edge.
7. Medical Investigation and Theories
Dr. McVig outlines the medical response, detailing the diagnostic procedures undertaken and the frustrating lack of immediate answers. The possibility of an environmental trigger, such as natural gas wells on school grounds, emerges as a potential cause.
Dr. Jennifer McVig [10:25]: "All three girls go to the same school. Go Knights."
The episode delves into historical experiments, like Adrian Upton's 1970s jello brain EEG test, to underscore the enigmatic nature of the brain and its vulnerabilities.
8. Community and Psychological Impact
The community of Leroy experiences a palpable tension as rumors and fears spread. Accusations of mass hysteria clash with the undeniable physical symptoms exhibited by the affected girls, creating a complex interplay between psychological and physiological factors.
Jessica [28:05]: "It looked like Tourette's. But you don't catch Tourette's."
This section explores the societal tendency to dismiss unexplained phenomena, highlighting the stigma surrounding mental health and rare diseases.
9. Conclusion and Ongoing Mystery
As the episode concludes, the mystery remains unresolved, emphasizing the persistent uncertainty and the ongoing search for answers. The narrative sets the stage for future exploration, promising deeper insights into the outbreak's origins and implications.
Jenny Ryan [26:36]: "There's a mysterious illness among some students in Leroy. It has families there both stumped and scared."
Key Takeaways
- Unexplained Symptoms: The sudden onset of motor and verbal tics among high school girls raises questions about underlying causes.
- Community Dynamics: Leroy's tight-knit community struggles with fear, skepticism, and mistrust as the illness spreads.
- Medical Challenges: Healthcare professionals like Dr. McVig navigate the complexities of diagnosing and addressing a rare, mysterious condition.
- Environmental Factors: Potential links to local environmental issues, such as natural gas wells, suggest broader implications.
- Psychological Stigma: The episode highlights the challenges faced by individuals when symptoms are misunderstood or dismissed by peers and authorities.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Nikki Boyer [00:00]: "It's a wild, emotional and eye opening ride."
- Dr. Jennifer McVig [07:11]: "The vocalizations were so characteristic and so loud that I'm like, this is interesting."
- Jessica [05:31]: "Seriously, why would we fake this?"
- Mr. Mihalik [21:00]: "These kids are just totally normal. And then next thing you know, they're going blah."
- Jessica [28:05]: "It looked like Tourette's. But you don't catch Tourette's."
Follow "Hysterical" on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Binge all episodes exclusively and ad-free on Wondery+. Start your free trial today!