Episode 72. Mass Psychogenic Illness with Robert Baloh– Author of Medically Unexplained Symptoms

In this episode I am in conversation with Dr Robert Baloh to explore his insightful perspective of mass psychogenic illness specifically, and functional neurological disorders generally. Our conversation explored the general principles of medically unexplained symptoms and why most people have symptoms but only in some do these progress to become psychosomatic. We delved into the patterns, expectations and cultural beliefs that predispose to psychosomatic problems, highlighting such concepts as the placebo and nocebo effects.

In our exploration of mass psychogenic illness, we reviewed such examples as the Belgian Coca Cola epidemic and Havana syndrome. This discussion looks at the factors that lead to the emergence and spread of mass psychogenic illness. Dr Baloh also outlines the mechanisms driving mass psychogenic illness, and the appropr ...