Sometimes the winter seems to go on forever, and the prospect of another cold spell may be more than you can handle. No wonder then that pibloktoq, also known as Arctic Hysteria, was believed to be caused by the length and severity of winters in the far North.

Pibloktoq was first documented 1892 and appears to be common to all Arctic regions. The patient typically shouts unintelligibly, tears off their clothes and runs around naked, in spite of temperatures which may be thirty degrees below freezing. After a couple of hours the patient usually collapses exhausted and falls into a deep sleep, before making a complete recovery.

Traditional Inuit belief says pibloktoq is caused by spirits and may produce revelations. It is allowed to run its course without interference, unless there is a risk of real harm.

Some Western psychologists have classified pibloktoq as a culture-bound condition unique to the Inuit, but stranded European sailors suffered similar attacks in the 19th century. It affects men and women, and a similar condition is even said to afflict sled dogs.

Theories range from the psychoanalytic to calcium deficiency. One study suggests it may result from an excess of vitamin A from liver, kidneys and fat of arctic mammals and fish in the diet.

However, pibloktoq now appears to be a complex condition with no single simple causes. In other words, the long cold winter may be a factor after all.