How to Be a Better Human Interview: The razor-thin line between contagion and connection w/ Dan Taberski | from TED Health
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Dec 29, 2025 
Dan Taberski, a documentary podcaster known for his work on Missing Richard Simmons, dives into a mysterious outbreak of tics among high school students in Leroy, New York. He explores the thin line between contagion and connection, revealing how stress and social bonds can trigger mass psychogenic illness. Taberski discusses the implications of storytelling in reshaping medical discourse and emphasizes the need for empathy in understanding patients' experiences. His insights connect personal health with broader themes of belonging and societal reaction.
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Mysterious Tic Outbreak In A Small Town
- In Leroy, New York, a cheerleader suddenly developed severe stuttering and tics that spread to other girls at the high school.
- Within weeks dozens of students showed Tourette-like symptoms, prompting extensive medical and environmental testing.
Symptoms Spread Along Social Bonds
- Mass psychogenic illness is the rapid spread of real physical symptoms with no identifiable organic cause.
- The contagion tends to follow social connections among victims rather than random exposure.
Stress Points Trigger Collective Symptoms
- Mass hysteria often emerges at cultural stress points and fissures in society.
- Historical and contemporary episodes (Salem, 2001 rash, Havana syndrome) reflect collective anxiety manifesting physically.