This is really interesting but confusing and seems to blur the line of physiological and psychological. Syncope is often caused by low blood pressure [though there are other causes] which makes the circulation of oxygen lower than normal via blood in your brain [as I understand it, I'm not a physician so I really have laymen's understanding].
But that in itself can be caused by a number of factors.

I'm betting a couple new studies came out around the time of the HowStuffWorks podcast and the NPR show I was referring to, which instigated new interest in it.

I read that there are now more rigorous studies being done to gain understanding of Stendhal and who might be more susceptible to it, etc.

To label something as syncope with the distinction of Stendhal [or however they would do it] would be... really confusing.

I'm so glad I don't work for an insurance company- like who deals with that classification and such? haha

It's kind of funny to see the term hysteria come back out.

Neat.