Most people have suffered from the flu or the common cold, but certain illnesses recorded in medical journals and the like are just downright bizarre. AllThatIsInteresting.com compiles the most unusual.
An 1880 medical journal describes an isolated community of lumberjacks who were easily startled.
After being started, the men could be heard uttering weird phrases and would obey ridiculous commands, jumping and performing other imitative behavior.
Researchers note the Jumping Frenchman of Maine disorder is similar to Tourette's.
There have only been a few dozen recorded cases of people waking up from traumatic events and using sounds that vary from the patient's normal speech patterns.
It's been dubbed foreign accent syndrome for obvious reasons. Patients exhibit speech patterns commonly heard out of non-native speakers.
The disease is typically triggered by some sort of brain injury, such as a stroke or extreme migraine.
A neurological condition that distorts perception, causing disorientation and a warping of the senses, according to PubMed.
The name comes from Lewis Carroll's 1865 novel because patients feel as though they're drugged, misjudge distances and perceive their own bodies as either growing or shrinking in size.
Afterimages are normal response to stimulus, but people who suffer from palinopsia report the afterimages persist to a much greater degree.
Typically, afterimages are thought to be a retinal phenomenon, but doctors think afterimages in people with palinopsia are caused by the brain.
Paris Syndrome is a transient psychological disorder that afflicts some people who visit or vacation in Paris, with Japanese visitors being especially susceptible.
Ultimately, Paris Syndrome is an extreme form of culture shock, thought to be caused by the contrast between the way the French city is portrayed in media and reality.
Affected tourists will report symptoms including depression, anxiety and hallucinations.
Sleeping Beauty syndrome (also known as Klein-Levin syndrome) occurs most often in adolescents.
It's characterized by excessive sleeping and an increased appetite. Recurring periods of sleep can last for months.
Patients report feeling spacey, confused and disoriented.