The author travels the world to find out more about a disorder. He finds that people have very different ways of explaining what's happening to them. The mosquito people in texas explain seizures based on their cultural beliefsd. They believe ill can be caused by evil spirits, which they call 'greasy sickness'
Michael Shermer speaks with award-winning Irish neurologist Suzanne O’Sullivan about her work exploring the complexity of psychogenic illness affecting people all around the world. Her book The Sleeping Beauties, documents her investigation of psychosomatic disorders as she traveled the world visiting communities suffering from these so-called mystery illnesses. O’Sullivan records the remarkable stories of syndromes related to her by people from all walks of life. Riveting and often distressing, these case studies — both fascinating and of serious concern — are recounted with compassion and humanity as these syndromes continue to proliferate around the globe.