Member-only story
The Historical Figures Who Suffered Delusions Believing They Were Made Of Glass
For hundreds of years in Europe there was a common psychological disorder that made people think they were imminently in danger because their bodies were made of glass
Delusions are a psychological phenomenon that can afflict any number of people across different walks of life. They can take many forms, and their origins are usually mysterious. A recurring theme of delusion in Europe from hundreds of years ago was one of the most unusual and afflicted a number of people, including several well-known figures from history. These people believed that their bodies were made from glass and could shatter at any time.
Between the 15th and 19th centuries, Europe saw a proliferation of psychiatric disorder cases where people believed their bodies were made of glass and had intense fear that they were “likely to shatter into pieces.” According to historian Edward Shorter, this was in conjunction with a rise in popularity and appreciation of glass, which was viewed as a magical material and even a product of alchemy.
Glass delusions seemed especially prevalent among the upper classes. This was likely because glass was more of a luxury item and not as accessible…
