United States |
|
Himalayas |
Catalogued in the DSM-IV - link here for complete diagnostic criteria
|
How are they recognized? |
Shared through conversation with local people and anthropologists |
Weight loss or weight gain
Insomnia or hypersomnia |
Somatic symptoms |
These are of primary importance in this culture. Poor health is the main marker of problems; someone who is sick is viewed as having low status.
The body feels 'heavy' and lacks energy and 'passion' and is prone to further illness. (Desjarlais)
For example, you might get a fever or swollen neck as a symptom of the witch's hold on you (ibid, 136) |
Overactivity or underactivity
Fatigue or loss of energy |
Behavioral symptoms |
Person does not care to eat, talk, work, travel, or socialize. One has trouble sleeping and has threatening dreams.
In children "spirit loss" almost always has the same behavioral pattern of symptoms of the child becoming silent and withdrawn (ibid, 145) |
Diminished ability to think or concentrate
Indecisiveness
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicidal ideation |
Cognitive symptoms |
Thoughts become 'dull,' unbalanced. |
Depressed mood- feelings of sadness or emptiness
Diminshed interest or pleasure in most activities (anhedonia)
Feelings of worthlessness or excessive, inappropriate guilt |
Emotional symptoms |
Heartache (tsher ka) - anxious and jittery but doesn't feel like doing anything - and everything makes you sad ( ibid, 107) |
