The secret society of people who have songs chronically stuck in their heads.

What was once a matter of joking and fun has turned into a serious condition for some. Anna* has suffered for three years with Justin Beiber’s “Baby” stuck continuously in her head. “This is a real and serious condition”, she says, looking down at her tea, “I’ve had to stop going places. I sleep with Mozart in the hope that his compositions will rescue me from my inner torment.”

There is no cure for this condition. All these victims can hope for is a few moments of respite, and a few bars of undisturbed Chopin.

*Name has been changed for privacy.