I've heard of that. It is not an illness per se but rather a collective group of symptoms. It is a rather rare but medically interesting condition and has been reported worldwide without regard to population demographics or geography. It appears to be a problem that affects only a very small percentage of the general population.
I believe it is known as OCCS (Obsessive Compulsive Caudata Syndrome). Unfortunately, there is no known treatment. Afflicted individuals sometimes go into spontaneous remission but the underlying problem remains and will periodically express itself. The pathology appears to be assiciated with neurotransmitters and receptors not an infectious process. The data suggest, however, that affected individuals seem to live a very healthy and happy life dispite their OCCS and in fact recent data indicate that individuals with this syndrome may have a better quality of life than their matched cohorts. These data, however, are preliminary and require further study.
I have also heard this syndrome referred to as 'insanity'....but I prefer the terminology of OCCS.
