Dhat Syndrome: Medical, Psychological and Sociocultural Aspects

Dhat Syndrome is known as a culture-bound syndrome in South Asia. People with Dhat Syndrome often present with anxiety and distress related to semen loss. Multiple somatic and sexual symptoms often accompany this. The symptoms of Dhat Syndrome closely resemble other neurotic and stress-related disorders. Myths related to sexuality are often the core phenomenon in dhat syndrome, which is responsible for the generation of psychopathology--addressing the myth’s preliminary results in resolving psychopathology. However, many patients require pharmacological and psychological management. Due to strong cultural beliefs and associated myths, patients with Dhat Syndrome often reach out to traditional healers before getting the proper psychiatric consultation, further consolidating their myths and poor attitude toward treatment. However, Dhat Syndrome resembles a male entity; a similar entity is reported in females, where females attribute their non-pathological vaginal discharge to psychological distress. The pattern of symptoms has a significant resemblance with Dhat Syndrome in males. There is no standard book that exclusively discusses various aspects of Dhat Syndrome. This book examines the evolution of Dhat Syndrome to the current understanding of the disease and its management. Hence, this book will be unique and helpful for this disorder.

Dr. Sujita Kumar Kar is working as an Additional Professor at the Department of Psychiatry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow,
India. He has written 62 book chapters, over 450 articles, and five
monographs.

Dr. S. M. Yasir Arafat is working as an Assistant Professor at the
Department of Psychiatry, Enam Medical College, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He
has more than 300 articles, several book chapters, and edited books.

Dr. Vikas Menon is a Professor at the Department of Psychiatry at
Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research
(JIPMER), Puducherry. He is also the Consultant-in-charge Mood Disorders Clinic, Psychosomatic Clinic, Crisis Intervention,
Transplant, and Metabolic Clinics at the Department of Psychiatry,
JIPMER, Puducherry. He has published more than 300 articles, 15 book chapters, and several books.