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Dhat Syndrome
[edit]Dhat syndrome is a culture bound sex neurosis characterized by severe anxiety and hypochondriacal concerns associated with the discharge of semen primarily through urine, nocturnal emission, or masturbation. Whitish discoloration of the urine, feelings of weakness, exhaustion, palpitation, and sleeplessness and other vague somatic and psychological complaints are associated with an anxious and dysphoric mood state. [1] The main causes of Dhat syndrome are believed to be masturbation and/or excessive indulgence in sexual activities, venereal diseases, urinary tract infections, overeating, constipation or worm infestation, disturbed sleep, or genetic factors. The majority of patients believe that the composition of Dhat is semen. Others believe it to be sugar, concentrated urine, infection, or something unknown. [2]
Classification
[edit]Dhat syndrome has been variously described as a culture–bound sex neurosis, a culture–bound anxiety state, a hypochondriacal neurosis, and a symptom of depression.[3] Dhat syndrome may be identified with or without psychosexual dysfunction. Neurotic depression and generalized anxiety diroder are commonly seen in patients with Dhat syndrome. Dhat syndrome can often be divided into three subgroups: (1) Dhat syndrome alone; (2) Dhat syndrome with anxiety and depressive symptoms; (3) Dhat syndrome with sexual dysfunction.[2] Among those diagnosed with Dhat syndrome, erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation are commonly associated psychosexual dysfunctions and depressive neurosis, anxiety neurosis, and somatoform/hypocondriasis are the most reported psychiatric disorders.
Dhat Origin
[edit]The word "Dhat" derives from the Sanskrit word dhatu, meaning "mental," elixir," or "constituent part of the body." [1] Although dhat is considered to be a culture bound syndrome, semen loss concern is not only confined to the Indian Subcontinent but is seen in many other cultures and is prevalent in areas across the globe including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and areas where the Hindu culture prevails or used to prevail. Historical evidence suggests that Dhat was prevalent in Europe, USA, and Australia in the 19th century.[4]
Some ancient teachings portray semen as a vital life giving force, as essential to life as blood itself. According to Indian tradition, the term virya stands for both vigour and semen and is considered the source of physical and spiritual strength. In Indian culture, the loss of virya through any sexual act or imagery, including masturbation and wet dreams, is considered both physically and spiritually harmful.Thus, it can be inferred that in various cultures of the world, semen loss has been a concern and is believed to weaken the body and cause disease.[5]. [1].
Epidemiology
[edit]Those with Dhat syndrome are usually young, recently married or single, belonging to average or low socioeconomic status, from rural areas, and from families with conservative attitudes towards sex. The overall incidence of Dhat Syndrome in India is between 10 and 30%. [6] The duration of the syndrome is widely varied, ranging from less than three months to one year or even as many as 20 years. Follow-up studies have shown that the majority of patients recover or improves and very few remain unchanged.[1]
Symptoms
[edit]The main symptoms of Dhat syndrome are fatigue and preoccupation with semen loss. Wig (1960) first described dhat as "vague somatic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, guilt, and sexual dysfunction attributed by the patient to loss of semen in nocturnal emissions, through urine, and masturbation."[4] These conditions are attributed to semen loss though there is no evidence of actual loss of semen. It is also characterized by:
- severe anxiety
- hypochondriacal concerns with discharge of semen
- whitish discoloration of the urine
- weakness and exhaustion
Treatment
[edit]Ways in which Dhat can be managed include cognitive behavioral therapy, emphatic listening, reassurance and correction of erroneous beliefs, sex education, relaxation therapy, counseling, and medications. Anti-anxiety and anti-depression medications are often used. [7] Placebos are also commonly used to help patients cope with Dhat syndrome.
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b c d Prakash, O. (2007). "'Lessons for postgraduate trainees about Dhat syndrome'". Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 49 (3): 208–210. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.37324. PMC 2902096. PMID 20661389.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) Cite error: The named reference "Prakash" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page). - ^ a b Avasthi, Ajit (2005). "The Concept And Epidemiology Of Dhat Syndrome". Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Ranjith, Gopinath (2006). "Dhat Syndrome as a Functional Somatic Syndrome: Developing a Sociosomatic Model" (PDF). Psychiatry. 69 (2): 142–150. doi:10.1521/psyc.2006.69.2.142. PMID 16822193.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Sumathipala, A. (2004). [[1] "Culture-bound syndromes: the story of dhat syndrome"]. The British Journal of Psychiatry. 184 (3): 200–209. doi:10.1192/bjp.184.3.200. PMID 14990517.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Khan, Nashi (2005). "Dhat syndrome in relation to demographic characteristics". Indian Journal of Psychiatry. 47 (1): 54–57. doi:10.4103/0019-5545.46077. PMC 2918320.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Rynne, Andrew. "Dhat Syndrome or Loss of Semen Disease".
- ^ Prakash, Om (2005). [[2] "Sexuality research in India: An update"]. Indian Journal of Psychiatry.
{{cite journal}}: Check|url=value (help); Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help)
<ref> Prakash O, Meena K. Association between Dhat and loss of energy--a possible psychopathology and psychotherapy. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(4):898-9. Epub 2007 Nov 13. PMID 17993251.
- ^ Prakash O. (2007). Lessons for postgraduate trainees about Dhat syndrome. Accessed March 5, 2012 from Indian Journal of Psychiatry [3]
- ^ A. Sumathipala, S.H. Siribaddana, and Dinesh Bhugra (2004). Culture-bound syndromes: the story of dhat syndrome. Accessed March 5, 2012 from The British Journal of Psychiatry [4]
- ^ Nashi Khan (2008). Dhat Syndrome: Physical and Psychological Implications. Accessed March 5, 2012 from Pakistan Research Repository [5]
- ^ Ajit Avasthi,Om Prakash Jhirwal (2005). The Concept And Epidemiology Of Dhat Syndrome. Accessed March 5, 2012 from Journal of Pakistan Psychiatric Society [6]
- ^ Om Prakash1, TS Sathyanarayana Rao (2010). Sexuality research in India: An update. Accessed March 5, 2012 from Indian Journal of Psychiatry [7]
- ^ Gopinath Ranjith, Rajesh Moha (2006). Dhat Syndrome as a Functional Somatic Syndrome: Developing a Sociosomatic Model. Accessed March 14, 2012 from Psychiatry: Journal for the Study of Interpersonal Processes [8]
- ^ Kulhara, Parmanand, Avasthi, Ajit (1995). Sexual dysfunction on the Indian subcontinent. Accessed March 14, 2012 from International Review of Psychiatry [9]
- ^ Dhat (semen loss) syndrome: A functional somatic syndrome of the Indian subcontinent? Perme, Bojir; Ranjith, Gopinath; Mohan, Rajesh; Chandrasekaran, R.; General Hospital Psychiatry, Vol 27(3), May-Jun, 2005. pp. 215-217. [Journal Article] [10]