Listen Now: Hysterical
Listen Now: Hysterical
2Digest
The podcast delves into a mysterious outbreak in Dantabursky, where high school cheerleaders experience baffling neurological symptoms. The episode investigates the possibility of a contagion that spreads beyond the physical environment, raising questions about the power of the mind to manifest real symptoms. The story begins with a 16-year-old girl who posts a video on YouTube detailing her strange symptoms, including eye twitching, involuntary noises, and head jerking. Her video becomes a catalyst for uncovering a wider outbreak, as others experiencing similar symptoms respond, all clustered in the same small town. The outbreak gains media attention, with news reports confirming more cases and raising concerns about a possible contagion. The episode highlights the impact of the outbreak on the community, as residents begin to doubt their doctors, neighbors, and even themselves. The episode explores the psychological toll of the unknown, with people questioning their sanity and the reality of their experiences.
Outlines
The Mystery of the Dantabursky Outbreak
A mysterious neurological outbreak in Dantabursky, where high school cheerleaders experience baffling neurological symptoms, raises questions about the power of the mind to manifest real symptoms.
The Outbreak Spreads
A teenage girl's YouTube video detailing her strange symptoms sparks a wider outbreak, as others experiencing similar symptoms respond, all clustered in the same small town. The outbreak gains media attention, with news reports confirming more cases and raising concerns about a possible contagion.
Doubts and Fear
The outbreak creates a climate of fear and uncertainty, leading to distrust, paranoia, and self-doubt among residents as they grapple with the psychological toll of the unknown.
Keywords
Dantabursky
A fictional town where a mysterious outbreak of neurological symptoms occurs, serving as the central location for the podcast's narrative.
Mass Hysteria
A phenomenon characterized by the rapid spread of unusual physical symptoms or behaviors among a group of people, often without a clear medical explanation.
Isaac Syndrome
A rare neurological disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and spasms, often affecting the limbs and face.
Aaron Brockovich
A renowned environmental activist known for her work on the Erin Brockovich case, who becomes involved in investigating the Dantabursky outbreak.
YouTube
A video-sharing platform where a teenage girl's video detailing her neurological symptoms becomes a catalyst for uncovering a wider outbreak.
Contagion
The spread of a disease or condition from one person to another, particularly through physical contact or the environment.
Q&A
What are the initial symptoms experienced by the teenage girl in the video?
The girl experiences eye twitching, involuntary noises, head jerking, and a halting speech pattern.
How does the outbreak in Dantabursky gain attention?
The teenage girl's YouTube video receives responses from others experiencing similar symptoms, leading to news reports and public awareness of the outbreak.
What are some of the psychological effects of the outbreak on the community?
The outbreak creates a climate of fear and uncertainty, leading to distrust, paranoia, and self-doubt among residents.
Show Notes
Hysterical investigates a mysterious illness that spreads among a group of high school girls in upstate New York. What is causing their sudden, often violent symptoms? Is there something in the water or inside the school? Or is it “all in their head?” The series examines the outbreak in LeRoy, NY, believed by some to be the most severe case of mass hysteria since the Salem Witch Trials. In his search for answers, Dan Taberski (9/12, Missing Richard Simmons, Running from Cops) explores other seemingly inexplicable events of the last few years – CIA officers being crippled with nausea and vertigo; cops OD'ing from exposure to fentanyl – and discovers they’re far more connected than we realize.
From Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios, this 7-part series forces us to grapple with the mysteries of our own minds, and reckon with a contagion that we thought was long dead, but may be the defining disorder of our time.
Follow Hysterical on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge all episodes of Hysterical early and ad-free right now by joining Wondery+ at Wondery.fm/Hysterical_Morbid.
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