Hysterical: Episode 2 - "All In Your Head"
Host: Dan Tabersky
Release Date: July 22, 2024
Produced by: Wondery | Pineapple Street Studios
Introduction: Leroy’s Plight and Community Tensions
Dan Tabersky opens the episode by revisiting the unsettling situation in Leroy, New York, where a group of high school girls has been experiencing mysterious and severe symptoms. The community is grappling with fear and uncertainty, leading to widespread speculation about the cause of these sudden health issues.
Notable Quote:
"There's a mystery in Leroy that no one seems to be able to solve."
— Kathy Dunn [09:37]
The Emergence of Symptoms and Initial Reactions
The outbreak began in the fall of 2011, initially affecting students involved in extracurricular activities such as soccer, cheerleading, marching band, and track. Symptoms included uncontrolled jerks, verbal tics, and other motor disorders, sparking concern among parents who frequented the sidelines of their children's activities.
Notable Quote:
"What is going on with these girls?"
— Dan Tabersky [02:36]
Kathy Dunn, a local mother, recalls her realization that the symptoms were not isolated incidents but a growing trend impacting multiple students, including her daughters.
Notable Quote:
"I just kept thinking, what's going on? I didn't have any clue. There's gotta be an answer."
— Kathy Dunn [09:37]
Investigation by Local Health Authorities
As the number of affected students increased, Dr. Greg Young, a neurologist with the New York State Department of Health, was tasked with uncovering the cause. The investigative team conducted extensive testing, including blood work, environmental assessments, and air quality tests, but initially found no physical or environmental causes.
Notable Quote:
"We really went through everything, and I knew what the diagnosis was."
— Dr. Greg Young [16:23]
Despite these efforts, Dr. Young remained confident in his diagnosis, which he presented to a concerned town meeting without divulging specifics, citing patient privacy and ethical considerations.
Notable Quote:
"We've looked at the infectious disease side of it, and there is no infection among these children."
— Dr. Greg Young [17:02]
Diagnosis of Conversion Disorder
At the January 11, 2012 town meeting, Dr. Young officially disclosed that the girls were suffering from conversion disorder, a form of mass psychogenic illness. This diagnosis suggests that psychological stress is manifesting as physical symptoms, a controversial conclusion that left many parents skeptical and distressed.
Notable Quote:
"Conversion disorder is real, but it can be a bear to wrap your mind around."
— Narrator [19:11]
Conversion disorder, characterized by neurological symptoms without an organic cause, was likened to historical cases such as the Salem Witch Trials, where similar mass hysteria was misinterpreted as demonic possession.
Notable Quote:
"Mass psychogenic illness happens overwhelmingly to girls. No one's quite sure why."
— Dan Tabersky [24:13]
Community Backlash and Skepticism
The announcement of conversion disorder as the diagnosis was met with outrage and disbelief. Parents like Kathy Dunn found it hard to accept that their children's severe symptoms were "all in their heads," leading to mistrust towards the medical authorities and the school.
Notable Quote:
"I thought that's bullshit. You're just gonna withhold all this information from us."
— Kathy Dunn [17:43]
Parents questioned the thoroughness of the investigation and the motives behind the diagnosis, suspecting a possible cover-up or negligence by the school and health officials.
Notable Quote:
"I don't believe that. There's just no way."
— Kathy Dunn [27:25]
Alternative Theories and Ongoing Mystery
Amid the skepticism, alternative theories emerged. One such theory suggested ergot poisoning, a possibility linked to ryegrass on the athletic fields, known to release toxins under specific weather conditions. However, this remained speculative, as no concrete evidence supported it.
Notable Quote:
"Ergot, often grows on ryegrass, and in certain weather conditions, rainy, damp, cool."
— Narrator [33:16]
The presence of an orange ooze on the athletic fields and recurring flooding added layers of mystery, hinting at potential environmental factors that might have been overlooked or inadequately investigated.
Expanding the Scope of the Illness
As the investigation unfolded, reports indicated that the mysterious illness was beginning to affect others outside the initial group of high school girls, including a 36-year-old woman. This development suggested that the condition might not be confined to a single social group, challenging the initial diagnosis of mass psychogenic illness.
Notable Quote:
"Some people would go as far to say there's a cover-up."
— Howard Owens [28:01]
The expansion of symptoms beyond the original cohort raised questions about the true nature of the illness, leaving the community in a state of heightened anxiety and uncertainty.
Conclusion: An Unresolved Enigma
Episode 2 of Hysterical delves deep into the complexities surrounding the mysterious illness in Leroy, NY. The diagnosis of conversion disorder as a mass psychogenic illness offered a plausible explanation but failed to quell the fears and suspicions of the affected families. As new cases emerge, the mystery thickens, compelling listeners to ponder the intricate interplay between mind and body, and the challenges in deciphering unexplained medical phenomena.
Notable Quote:
"In our latest series, media mogul Ted Turner launches a 24 hour channel dedicated... but CNN doesn't just shake up the television industry."
— Dan Tabersky [20:50] (Note: This quote references an advertisement and is included here for contextual understanding of the transcript but is not directly related to the episode's content.)
Key Takeaways
-
Mass Psychogenic Illness: The case in Leroy highlights the phenomenon where psychological stress manifests as physical symptoms, particularly in tightly-knit social groups.
-
Community Trust: The diagnosis strained the relationship between parents and health authorities, underscoring the importance of transparent communication during public health crises.
-
Ongoing Mystery: The emergence of new cases beyond the initial group suggests that the true cause remains elusive, keeping the mystery alive and challenging existing theories.
Produced by:
- Lead Producer: Henry Maloski
- Associate Producers: Marie Alexa Kavanagh, Sophie Bridges
- Managing Producer: Erin Kelly
- Senior Producer: Lena Masitzis
- Additional Production: Zandra Ellen
- Editor: Diane Hodson
- Executive Editor: Joel Lovell
- Fact Checking: Natsume Ajisaka
- Mixing: Hannis Brown
- Sound and Engineering: Raj Makhija
- Original Music: Dina Maccabee
- Legal Services: Crystal Tupia
Executive Producers:
- Pineapple Street Studios: Max Linsky, Henry Malofsky, Asha Saludja, Jenna Weiss Berman
- Wondery: Morgan Jones, Marshall Louie, Jen Sargent
Written and Executive Produced by:
- Dan Taberski
For more insights and detailed investigations, listen to all episodes of Hysterical on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts.