Hysterical: Episode 5 - "Alive and Well"

Released on August 12, 2024, by Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios, "Hysterical" delves deep into the enigmatic world of mass psychogenic illness (MPI) and its modern manifestations. In the fifth episode, titled "Alive and Well," host Dan Taberski juxtaposes two seemingly disparate events—the mysterious outbreak among high school girls in LeRoy, New York, and the perplexing cases of Havana Syndrome affecting diplomats and CIA officers worldwide.

Recalling the LeRoy Outbreak

The episode opens with a continuation of the LeRoy, NY, case, where a mysterious illness swept through a group of high school girls. Initially dismissed as mass hysteria, the situation grew more complex with the revelation of a male victim, Jason.

• Dan Taberski [02:08]: "Our count right now, if you're keeping score at the peak of the outbreak in February 2012, is 17 girls who came down with the mysterious symptoms. Well, 16 girls and one 36-year-old woman. But it wasn't really 16 girls and one 36-year-old Woman. It was 16 girls, one 36-year-old woman, and one boy."

Jason's case highlights the skepticism faced by males in what was predominantly a female outbreak. Despite exhibiting symptoms, Jason was largely disbelieved by his peers and authorities, exemplifying societal biases in understanding MPI.

• Emily [05:47]: "Exactly. You were the only guy. So even the girls who had it, once you got it, they didn't believe you."

Introducing Havana Syndrome and Mark Polymeropoulos

Transitioning from LeRoy, the episode introduces Mark Polymeropoulos, a former CIA officer who became one of the victims of Havana Syndrome. Unlike the high school setting, Havana Syndrome affects seasoned professionals in high-stress environments.

• Dan Taberski [10:23]: "Mark is the former head of clandestine operations for Europe and Eurasia. But in 2017, Mark began experiencing strange symptoms that no one could seem to explain."

Mark recounts his experiences, starting with debilitating vertigo and migraines during a mission in Moscow.

• Emily [12:37]: "This was a really scary moment because there was almost a total loss of control."

Despite seeking medical attention, Mark and others received little to no support, deepening the mystery surrounding their condition.

Exploring Havana Syndrome

The episode delves into the broader phenomenon of Havana Syndrome, a series of unexplained medical symptoms reported by U.S. and Canadian embassy staff and other government personnel worldwide since 2016.

• Dan Taberski [17:59]: "I have clients from NSA, State Department, Commerce Department, USAID, FBI, DIA, and CIA."

Mark Polymeropoulos and attorney Mark Zaid advocate for the possibility of targeted attacks using advanced sonic or microwave technology, although no concrete evidence supports these claims.

• Emily [19:18]: "There was no doubt in my mind that something happened. Absolutely zero doubt. The symptoms are consistent."

Conversely, skeptics like Dr. Robert Bartholomew and Dr. Patricia Garavici argue that Havana Syndrome is a classic case of mass psychogenic illness, where psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms.

• Dr. Patricia Garavici [23:02]: "Human beings are meaning-oriented creatures. We are fallible and we are prone to seeing things that aren't there, to hearing things that aren't there, and believing in things that never were."

Mass Psychogenic Illness vs. Targeted Attacks

The crux of the episode revolves around the debate between MPI and the theory of deliberate attacks. Proponents of MPI cite historical precedents like shell shock from World War I to illustrate how extreme stress can produce genuine physical symptoms without an organic cause.

• Mark Polymeropoulos [32:16]: "We are not in control."

On the other hand, advocates for the attack theory emphasize the consistency of symptoms across individuals in high-stress roles and challenging environments, suggesting external factors at play.

• Mark Zaid [19:53]: "If the domestic incidents are legit, if the international incidents are legit, but more so if the domestic incidents are legitimately foreign power attacking Americans, it's an act of war."

Dr. Garavici further elaborates on the power of belief in shaping physical reality, drawing parallels to historical hysteria.

• Dr. Patricia Garavici [26:37]: "Mass psychogenic illness is based on a belief. We all have beliefs, therefore we are all potential victims."

National Intelligence Council Report and the Havana Act

A pivotal moment in the episode is the discussion of the National Intelligence Council's report on Havana Syndrome, which largely dismisses the theory of neurological attacks by foreign adversaries, attributing most cases to other causes like environmental factors or psychological stress.

• Dan Taberski [39:48]: "The report concludes Havana Syndrome is almost certainly not caused by a neurological attack from a foreign adversary."

Despite this, the U.S. government enacted the Havana Act, compensating victims like Mark, creating a paradox where official acknowledgment coexists with skepticism.

• Emily [41:13]: "How do you mesh those two things together? You're saying it's nothing, yet the US government... are compensating us for an injury in the line of duty."

The Complexity of Hysteria and Modern MPI

Concluding the episode, Dan Taberski reflects on the intricate nature of MPI, emphasizing its social, cultural, and psychological dimensions. The conversation underscores that whether rooted in belief, stress, or potential external factors, hysteria remains a potent force influencing both individual and collective health.

• Dan Taberski [35:56]: "The symptoms of any mass psychogenic illness aren't just about the person exhibiting the symptoms. It's not just medical, it's social, it's cultural. It's about all of us."

Dr. Garavici advocates for understanding and dignifying those affected, urging society to listen and empathize rather than dismiss.

• Mark Polymeropoulos [36:08]: "I cannot but being grateful to hysterics and take hysteria seriously and give it back its dignity."

Conclusion

"Alive and Well" masterfully intertwines personal narratives with scientific debate, presenting a nuanced exploration of mass psychogenic illness in contemporary contexts. By juxtaposing the LeRoy outbreak with Havana Syndrome, the episode challenges listeners to contemplate the fragile boundaries between mind and body, belief and reality, and the societal structures that influence our understanding of unexplained phenomena.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dan Taberski [02:08]: "Our count right now... it was 16 girls, one 36-year-old woman, and one boy."

• Emily [05:47]: "Even the girls who had it, once you got it, they didn't believe you."

• Mark Zaid [19:53]: "If they know, they don't want to tell people..."

• Dr. Patricia Garavici [23:02]: "Human beings are meaning-oriented creatures..."

• Mark Polymeropoulos [32:16]: "We are not in control."

• Emily [41:13]: "How do you mesh those two things together?..."

For those intrigued by these deep dives into the human psyche and unexplained medical phenomena, "Hysterical" offers a compelling blend of storytelling and investigative journalism. Listen to Episode 5, "Alive and Well," on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.