Found this pretty interesting, from Slate. Full Article Here.
Later on they talk about one called Stendhal Syndrome, a condition most common in Italy, in which someone experiences rapid heartbeat, fainting, and confusion after viewing works of art. I've actually experienced this, in Italy, oddly enough...while in Rome and Florence I kept getting lightheaded in the big cathedrals. These were things I'd been reading about ever since I was a small child, to see them in person was overwhelming for a 16 year old. At one point I had a little old Italian lady smile at me and motion for me to go ahead and sit against one of the pillars. Then she took a deep breath, and motioned for me to do the same, patted my shoulder, and went on her way. I always wondered how she knew...
Later on they talk about one called Stendhal Syndrome, a condition most common in Italy, in which someone experiences rapid heartbeat, fainting, and confusion after viewing works of art. I've actually experienced this, in Italy, oddly enough...while in Rome and Florence I kept getting lightheaded in the big cathedrals. These were things I'd been reading about ever since I was a small child, to see them in person was overwhelming for a 16 year old. At one point I had a little old Italian lady smile at me and motion for me to go ahead and sit against one of the pillars. Then she took a deep breath, and motioned for me to do the same, patted my shoulder, and went on her way. I always wondered how she knew...
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