Culture-bound Syndromes

Question 1

Amok

Answer 1

Occurs in Malays, mostly male.

Period of withdrawal, followed by outburst of homicidal aggression lasting several hours, until overwhelmed or killed. Subject then passes into deep sleep for several days and will be amnesiac of the event.

Question 2

Koro or Suo Yang

Answer 2

Occurs in SE Asia and China.

Belief of genitals retracting and disappearing into abdomen, with intense anxiety and fear of impending death

Question 3

Dhat

Answer 3

Occurs in India

Vague somatic symptoms and sexual dysfunction, attributed to passage of semen in urine due to excessive masterbation/intercourse

Question 4

Wendigo

Answer 4

Occurs in North-American Indians

Ascribed to other psychiatric diseases. Patient believes they have undergone a transformation and become a cannabalistic monster

Question 5

Latah

Answer 5

Occurs in Malay women

Following a frightening experience, patient develops exaggerated response to minimal stimuli with coprolalia, echolalia, automatic obedience.

Question 6

Brain Fag syndrome

Answer 6

Occurs in parts of Africa

Low-grade stress syndrome encountered by students

Question 7

Pibloktoq or arctic hysteria

Answer 7

Occurs in Inuit population

More common in women, especially in winter. Characterised by hysterical behaviour, insensitivity to extreme cold, echolalia, depression and coprophagia.

Question 8

Susto

Answer 8

Occurs in Latin America

Subject believes they have lost their soul through a fight, or other experience.

Question 9

Hwabyung

Answer 9

Occurs in Korea

Means “firesickness”. Describes distress with accompanying somatic and emotional symptoms

Question 10

Tajin kyofusho

Answer 10

Occurs in Japan

Social anxiety focuses on offending or harming people

Question 11

Bouffee deliriante

Answer 11

Occurs in west Africa and Haiti

Sudden outbursts of aggressive behaviour, agitation, confusion and psychomotor excitement