Volume : IX, Issue : VI, June - 2020

Cultural misbeliefs and associated depression in patients with dhat syndrome

Dr. Anil Kumar Khatik, Dr. Pooja Dixit

Abstract :

Background: Dhat syndrome (“semen loss”–related psychological distress) is a culture–bound syndrome seen in the natives of Indian subcontinent, but it is prevalent in other cultures also.Dhat syndrome characterized by vague psychosomatic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, guilt and sexual dysfunction, attributed by the patient to loss of semen in nocturnal emission, through urine or masturbation and may cause depressive symptoms. Aims; The aim of this study is to find out the presence of depression in patients with dhat syndrome and comparision of mindset of the patients of dhat syndrome and control group abuot sexuality. Methods: 64 patients with Dhat Syndrome attending the psychiatry clinic of a general municipal hospital in India and 33 healthy males accompanying other patients to the clinic were administered a questionnaire regarding sexual myths and misconceptions. Depression was assessed using Beck’s depression inventory (BDI). Results: All patients with Dhat syndrome were diagnosed as having depression on the BDI total score whereas only 24% of the controls fulfilled criteria for depression. There was a significant difference in the mean BDI scores between the two groups. Myths and misconceptions on sexual issues were present in both cases and controls, but they were less frequent in controls. Conclusion: In our study we found strong association between Dhat syndrome and depression. Dhat syndrome with depression responds to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors along with regular counseling. The findings also suggest a need to educate the society regarding problems related to sexuality and Dhat syndrome.

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Article: Download PDF    DOI : 10.36106/ijsr  

Cite This Article:

CULTURAL MISBELIEFS AND ASSOCIATED DEPRESSION IN PATIENTS WITH DHAT SYNDROME, Dr. Anil Kumar Khatik, Dr. Pooja Dixit INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH : Volume-9 | Issue-6 | June-2020

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