Man Literally Scared Stiff When Startled

Posted by Alex in Medicine on November 5, 2008 at 12:41 pm


Andy Latham, 33, has hyperekplexia, a weird genetic condition that makes him go rigid when startled. He’s literally scared stiff!

"Some people might jump when a firework goes off, but I’m literally scared stiff," he said.

"My whole body will seize and stiffen, causing me to fall over like a dead-weight. It can be very dangerous – one year I fell over and banged my head when a firework went off and had to go to hospital and have stitches."

Mr Latham, of Great Harwood, near Accrington, Lancs, went on: "I have the major form of Hyperekplexia, which means I have an exaggerated startle response to the unexpected.

"So many things can set me off – someone touching me from behind, clapping, dogs barking, phones ringing, people shouting, car horns, people coughing.

"But fireworks are particularly bad for me because they are so loud and sudden. I dread Bonfire Night."

Link (Photo: North News & Pictures)

It’s the human version of the fainting goats.


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COMMENT

7 comments to "Man Literally Scared Stiff When Startled"

  1. redphone
    November 5th, 2008 at 1:53 pm

    I was gonna say "in b4 fainting goats, lolz", but you know, you already beat me to it, Alex.

  2. Pudifoot
    November 5th, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    When I read the subject, I figured the guy really really liked being scared.

  3. Nightflax
    November 5th, 2008 at 3:11 pm

    Fainting goats have cataplexia, which is a different disorder, that also is seen in humans...Close but more of a limp fall than a stiff fall.

  4. Ali S.
    November 5th, 2008 at 7:24 pm

    Poor guy. That means he can't enjoy surprises nor horror movies. ;_;

  5. Scotty A
    November 5th, 2008 at 10:27 pm

    I was looking this up on Wikipedia, and came across "Jumping Frenchmen of Maine"
    It's actually the name of a Tourrete's-like disease in 1878

  6. Christophe
    November 5th, 2008 at 11:40 pm

    blah, blah, blah... beer can cure him!!!!!!!

    "Here's to alcohol — the cause and solution of all life's problems"
    Homer Simpson.

  7. Pudifoot
    November 6th, 2008 at 8:32 am

    For some reason I think "The Crippendales" would be frowned on in USA


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