Culture Bound Illness

Question 1

Koro

Answer 1

Origins: China, Malaysia, Indonesia

Men affected with Koro are terrified that their penis is shrinking and that eventually it will be absorbed into their body. People with Koro believe it is fatal.

Question 2

Latah

Answer 2

Origins: Malaysia and Indonesia

Latah usually affects middle aged women. A typical attack of latah lasts 30 minutes and is characterised by an outburst of screaming, hysterical laughing and obscenities.

Question 3

Brain fag

Answer 3

Origin: West Africa

Brain fag is seen in stressed out West African students and is thought to be a response to a western style of education and exams. Symptoms include poor concentration, and unusual somatic sensations such as burning skin.

Question 4

Amok

Answer 4

Origin: Malaysia

People who suffer with Amok are suddenly overcome with a violent outburst and become very aggressive to those around them. This continues until they are overpowered at which point they fall into a deep sleep and upon waking have no recall of the event. It almost always affects males.

Question 5

Dhat

Answer 5

Origin: India

Men affected with Dhat believe they are passing semen in their urine which leads to a loss of physical and mental energy. Jiryan is another term for Dhat. The same condition is also known as Shenkui in China.

Question 6

Windigo

Answer 6

Origin: Native North America

Windigo presents as an intense desire for human flesh and a strong believe that one is turning into a cannibal.

Question 7

Piblokto

Answer 7

Origin: Eskimo societies

Piblokto is seen in Eskimo’s. Affected Eskimo’s develop hysteria and behave oddly for instance by rolling around in snow naked while muttering to themselves

Question 8

Ataque de nervios (‘attack of nerves’) i

Answer 8

Ataque de nervios (‘attack of nerves’) is a culturally defined Latino syndrome usually triggered by acute stress and typically characterised by paroxysms of uncontrollable shouting and crying, trembling, palpitations, and aggressiveness.

Question 9

Nevra

Answer 9

Nevra is usually described as a feeling of loss of control, of having one’s nerves “burst out” or “break out” or “boil over.” An attack is often accompanied by shouting or screaming and throwing things. Headaches, dizziness, pain, and feelings of melancholy are associated with nevra.