Whatever our goal might be when travelling – from sightseeing as much as possible to lounging by the pool all day – we don’t expect a holiday to induce a temporary mental breakdown. But it turns out many travel experiences can actually be so overwhelming that our minds and bodies are just not capable of dealing with them. These travel syndromes are some of the more unusual psychological side-effects of travelling.

If you’ve ever been to Florence, you’ll know there’s incredible art and architecture on almost every corner, which for some can be utterly overwhelming. Named after French author Stendhal, this syndrome is experienced by people who essentially have seen or are attempting to see too much art.

First experienced by the French author in Florence, this temporary mental disorder can actually occur in any city that’s known for an abundance of great art. The most common symptoms include dizziness, hallucinations and lack of breath. The best way to avoid this syndrome is simply relax and not stress about seeing everything there is to see. Try travelling like a minimalist, instead.

Although no one’s exempt from Paris syndrome, it’s specifically Japanese tourists that are affected most. Claiming around 20 victims each year, the symptoms that include hallucinations, anxiety and aggression, can be so severe that the Japanese embassy in Paris is rumoured to have a helpline.

This syndrome is usually triggered by the realisation that Paris that doesn’t match the overly-romanticised expectations some visitors have. It tends to strike Japanese tourists in particular due to the idealised and unrealistic portrayal of Parisian culture in Japanese media.

First properly identified in 2000, this syndrome affects around 100 travellers every year who visit the Holy City. Symptoms range from anxiety and insomnia to hallucinations, and some even go on to preaching sermons or believing that they’re the Messiah.

Doctors have identified it as a temporary but intense religion-induced psychosis and most sufferers revert back to normal after returning home.

Similar to Jerusalem syndrome, this temporary psychological disorder affects mostly western tourists who experience paranoia and delusions as a result of being confronted by the abundance of spirituality and religion in India.

Mysterious disappearances of western travellers reveal a much darker side to spiritual travel – both an Irish journalist Jonathon Spollen and an Australian backpacker Ryan Chambers went missing after leaving all of their possessions, including passports, behind.

By far the most common of travel-associated syndromes, culture shock can happen pretty much anywhere to anyone. It only takes as little as not knowing how to buy a bus ticket or what to order from a menu to trigger a sudden realisation that you don’t belong and the set of attitudes, social norms and way of life around you are foreign to you.

Most common symptoms include disorientation, anxiety and irrational anger, which normally disappear as you learn more about the new environment or you return home. Culture shock can also make you physically sick as your immune system is weakened due to the unhealthy mental state.

While culture shock is relatively well-known, its sibling, reverse culture shock, isn’t. It usually affects travellers who have left home for an extensive period of time and, upon their return, find it hard to adjust to the life back home.

People who suffer from reverse culture shock usually do so because they’re able to see flaws in the society they come from or they find life boring and unchallenging. There is, after all, no greater come down after a big trip than getting back into the daily grind.

Well known to anyone who’s flown long-haul, desynchronosis or, better known as jet-lag, is extremely common. Essentially, jet-lag means that your inner body clock is unable to match that of the world around due to rapidly travelling across several time zones.

There isn’t a single recipe to curing jet-lag, however there are several ways you can tackle it – take a look at our tips on how to get over jet-lag.

A mouthful to say, this syndrome is caused by an antimalarial medication mefloquine. Most of these medications come with a bundle of potential side effects, but mefloquine is the only one that can cause psychosis.

The most common side effect is reported to be lucid dreams, however, symptoms can include pretty much anything from insomnia and anxiety to adverse reactions, like violent behaviour and suicidal intentions.

Caused by a rapid ascent to altitudes above 3,000 feet, altitude sickness begins with a mild headache and can progress to a feeling similar to that of a hangover. Dizziness, nausea and fatigue are among the most common symptoms.

Flying directly to areas of high altitude or mountain-climbing above 3,000 feet can both cause altitude sickness. The best way to prevent it is to drink enough water to ensure you’re not dehydrated and avoid alcohol and smoking. Take time to get used to high-altitudes before further ascent and make sure you’ve packed anti-sickness medication in case you do end up feeling unwell.

The most serious disorder of all, post-traumatic stress disorder can affect people who have experienced traumatic events while on holiday. Unlike many other syndromes, it requires professional medical help to be treated.

Sufferers say they often feel survivor’s guilt or, on the other hand, a strange detachment from the event. Some have trouble continuing the lives they had before the event and some are unable to leave their home town or city to travel again.