ASCP Pathology Assistant 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Stendhal Syndrome is categorized as a psychosomatic disorder, which is characterized by physical symptoms that are influenced by emotional or psychological factors. Named after the 19th-century French author Stendhal, this condition describes a phenomenon where individuals experience dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and even fainting when exposed to particularly beautiful art, especially in culturally rich environments like museums. The intense emotional response triggered by artistic beauty can lead to these physical symptoms, indicating a connection between the mind and body typical of psychosomatic disorders.

In contrast, neurological disorders involve issues with the nervous system, respiratory disorders affect the lungs and breathing, and cardiovascular disorders pertain to conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. None of these categories appropriately capture the emotional and psychosomatic aspects of Stendhal Syndrome, which distinctly relates to psychological responses rather than direct physiological malfunctions.