Understanding How Jerusalem Syndrome Develops

You're on a guided Jerusalem tour, and your friend begins behaving oddly. Initially, you think it's just jet lag, but when he starts wandering around in bed sheets, claiming to be John the Baptist, you realize something is off. Your friend has likely fallen victim to Jerusalem Syndrome.

Jerusalem holds immense significance for many, particularly for followers of three major world religions: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. For these pilgrims, the city represents the Holy Land, a place that draws them closer to the origins of their faith. For Jews, the Western Wall, the only remaining part of the ancient Temple destroyed by the Romans, is especially sacred. Muslims visit the Dome of the Rock, the third holiest site in Islam. Christians make their way to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the location where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried, as well as the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took while carrying his cross.

Jerusalem is also a politically charged city, fiercely contested by various religious and cultural groups. In such a historically rich and complex environment, it’s perhaps not surprising that visitors seeking spiritual meaning might encounter more than they expected. Imagine you’re a small-town girl from middle America, raised on the Bible, standing at the exact spot where Jesus, your savior, is said to have died. You might feel disappointment — is this humble, dusty location what I came to see? Alternatively, you could experience overwhelming joy or awe, as you feel a profound connection to God at that very moment.

Not everyone who experiences Jerusalem Syndrome leaves the city thinking of themselves as a prophet. Are these individuals suffering from mental illness, or are they simply overwhelmed by an intense spiritual encounter? This article will dive into the phenomenon of Jerusalem Syndrome, explore real-world cases, and examine its authenticity, causes, and possible treatments.

Symptoms of Jerusalem Syndrome

Samson, the Biblical figure known for his extraordinary strength — often compared to Hercules from Greek mythology — inspired a middle-aged American man who became convinced that he was actually Samson. This modern-day strongman believed part of the Western Wall needed to be moved, so he dedicated time to bodybuilding and traveled to Israel with the goal of relocating it. After an altercation with local authorities, he ended up in a psychiatric hospital.

While at the psychiatric facility, a mental health professional mistakenly told him that he was not, in fact, Samson. The man, convinced of his identity, broke through a window and escaped. Later, a nurse found him waiting at a bus stop and, complimenting him on his ‘Samson-like’ strength, the man agreed to cooperate.

There's the Virgin Mary, or a woman who believes herself to be the Virgin Mary. Every day, she makes her way to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where she weeps at the altar of Golgotha, lamenting the loss of her son, Jesus. In another part of town, there's a Virgin Mary who invites everyone to celebrate her son Jesus' birthday in Bethlehem. Israeli police encounter several John the Baptists, dressed in animal skins, eager to baptize anyone they can find.

Dr. Yair Bar-El outlines the following symptoms of Jerusalem Syndrome:

In Jerusalem, tour guides are trained to recognize these initial signs: Restless, anxious individuals who fall behind the group and seek solitude should be closely monitored. Once they start wearing a bed sheet, it's nearly impossible to stop them.

Jerusalem Syndrome Profile

"Samson" was also diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. So, what is the typical story behind someone suffering from Jerusalem Syndrome?

Around 80 percent of those who develop Jerusalem Syndrome have some form of mental illness [source: Kezwer, Lee]. This may involve an existing psychotic disorder, like that of "Samson," or it could involve a personality disorder or intense obsession.

A significant proportion of individuals with Jerusalem Syndrome are Jewish, with some being Christian and very few Muslim. Local residents are also affected. Jews tend to relate to figures from the Old Testament, while Christians connect with the New Testament. Men typically identify with male figures, and women with female ones.

The most intriguing, yet smallest group are those without any prior mental health issues who travel to Jerusalem, only to develop the symptoms of Jerusalem Syndrome and recover rapidly. Some experts argue this group doesn't exist, asserting that no one without an underlying condition could suddenly experience a psychotic episode like this. However, others believe differently.

Who is affected by Jerusalem Syndrome? Both men and women seem to experience the condition in nearly equal numbers, though some estimates suggest a slight predominance of men. The majority of those who develop the syndrome share certain characteristics, including:

Studies suggest that many of those who experience Jerusalem Syndrome had highly religious upbringings, only to distance themselves from their faith during their adolescent or young adult years. As a result, their expectations upon arriving in Jerusalem are shaped by childhood visions, not the reality of the city's modern, bustling atmosphere.

Why do Protestant Christians from the United States appear to be especially vulnerable to this sudden wave of religious fervor? Bar-El has posited that this may be due to the fact that, unlike Jews or Catholics, who engage in rituals, traditions, and have intermediaries like priests to connect with the divine, Protestants believe in a direct connection to God [source: Lee]. These rituals might act as grounding mechanisms, offering a structured, safe way to experience the divine.

Why are the United States, Canada, and parts of Western Europe particularly affected? Perhaps it's because religion's role in the Western world is ambiguous today. When you watch the news, on one hand, you hear about religious extremists carrying out suicide bombings in the name of a higher power. On the other hand, there are debates over whether it's appropriate to label textbooks with terms like 'evolution' or if saying 'Christmas' in a school newsletter is allowed. It seems to come down to a matter of scale, with the modern, Westernized world unsure of how to position its beliefs. For someone who was raised devoutly, deeply immersed in the teachings of the Bible, the world today doesn’t seem to align with those ancient principles. Perhaps such individuals believe that returning to the roots of religion will bring back a sense of purity and simplicity.

For some individuals, a trip to Jerusalem completely shifts their perspective. But is Jerusalem Syndrome truly a valid condition, or are these just individuals who have become a bit unhinged during their Mediterranean vacations?

The Reality of Jerusalem Syndrome

We've established that many individuals with Jerusalem Syndrome have a history of mental illness. For them, Jerusalem Syndrome is simply an extension of their existing condition. Those already struggling with mental illness may become fixated on particular ideas or subjects, be it UFOs, conspiracy theories, or even the concept of Jerusalem as a return to purity. For such individuals, Jerusalem serves as a powerful cultural and historical symbol onto which they project their delusions and beliefs.

In conclusion, in these cases, Jerusalem Syndrome isn't a clearly defined disorder. Rather, it's a symptom of a more extensive condition. But what about the true Jerusalem Syndrome, the condition experienced by those who are mentally sound?

Individuals with the actual syndrome don't behave like the stereotypical image of a mad person, yelling and raving. Instead, they are anxious, often concerned with thoughts like, 'What if I am the Messiah?' or 'What if I am carrying the Messiah?' They are polite, even while feeling disoriented, much like someone in an intoxicated state. They don’t experience hallucinations. They know exactly who they are (e.g., 'I know I’m Joe Smith, but what if Joe Smith is the Messiah?'). They remember the events clearly but feel a sense of shame and reluctance to discuss what happened. They often describe feeling something within themselves opening up [source: Bar-El].

Experts familiar with Jerusalem Syndrome don't categorize it as a true psychosis. Instead, they view it as a reaction to a place, one that emerges from the deepest parts of a person’s self.

Eliezer Witztum, a professor of psychiatry, distinguished this group of individuals as pilgrims rather than tourists. Tourists typically leave their everyday lives behind and move away from their center, both physically and emotionally. Vacationers seek to escape the anchors of their lives. Pilgrims, on the other hand, journey toward the heart of their world, seeking its core. This nearness to the center of one's life, this profound well of meaning, is what leads to the overwhelming experiences these individuals face. It is simply too much for them to handle [source: Lee].

Does Jerusalem itself cause delusions? Not exactly. Instead, the city acts as a trigger, igniting a powerful reaction in those whose religious backgrounds predispose them to such a response.

Some doctors dismiss the notion of Jerusalem Syndrome as a legitimate clinical condition, claiming it lacks solid scientific backing. There aren't any significant studies to confirm its existence, and those who have reportedly experienced it tend to shy away from completing surveys, preferring to move on as if the event never occurred. Essentially, it's unlikely that Jerusalem Syndrome will be officially recognized in the DSM-IV, the manual of mental disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association, in the near future.

Keep reading to learn about the methods doctors use to treat Jerusalem Syndrome.

Jerusalem Syndrome Treatments

When individuals show signs of Jerusalem Syndrome, authorities take them to Kfar Shaul, a psychiatric hospital. It's important that doctors don't directly challenge the patient's belief that they are 'King David,' as disproving their self-image and mission is counterproductive. Instead, doctors may administer mild antipsychotic drugs or tranquilizers to manage their symptoms.

According to the doctors at Kfar Shaul, the most effective way to help is by removing the patients from the city and bringing them back to their families. Once away from Jerusalem and surrounded by loved ones, they quickly return to their normal selves. The transformation is remarkable, and they seamlessly resume their lives with no apparent lingering effects of mental illness. The entire episode of Jerusalem Syndrome typically lasts between five and seven days, as if it never occurred.

A significant number of those who experience Jerusalem Syndrome never receive treatment. Each year, around 100 tourists displaying unusual behavior are referred to Kfar Shaul, but only about 40 of them are found to require admission.

The cases of individuals like David Koresh and Michael Rohan -- the latter being a Christian tourist diagnosed with Jerusalem Syndrome who attempted to set fire to the al-Aksa Mosque -- have led Israeli authorities to take the syndrome seriously. Before the turn of the millennium, Israeli officials, doctors, and even the FBI expressed concerns about potential violence linked to millennial movements in Jerusalem. They feared that apocalyptic cults and influential, charismatic leaders might instigate terrorist acts, aiming to bring about Armageddon and drag impressionable tourists into their mission. Thankfully, there was no significant increase in patients admitted to Kfar Shaul for Jerusalem Syndrome during this period.