The metamorphosis of ‘culture-bound’ syndromes

Culture–bound syndromes and the neglect of cultural factors in psychopathologies among Africans

“…To overcome the poor yield from the systematic search, the authors carried out a manual search in medical/university libraries of the following institutions in south west, Nigeria: Brain Fag Syndrome (BFS) BFS was first described by Raymond Prince among students in the western part of Nigeria in 1960. 6,7,21,22 It is very common among African students and others whose work requires intensive reading or other intellectual activities. The syndrome has also been described in other countries of West Africa 23,24 and even beyond the west African sub-region in Uganda 25 and other East African countries 26 and South Africa.…”

“…An instrument, the Brain Fag Syndrome Scale (BFSS) is now in existence for the detection and measurement of the intensity of the syndrome. Epidemiologically, BFS has been reported as much commoner in males than in females 22 ; with prevalence rates of the syndrome varying from 25% to 58%. 28 In terms of aetiology, Morakinyo did extensive work in this regard.…”

Culture-Specific Mental Disorders

“…the idea is autistic rather than culture specific. These differential diagnostic features were pointed out years ago (Jilek and Jilek-Aall 1985) and later recommended for inclusion in the DSM-IV classification (Bernstein and Gaw 1990). …”

Koro and the Fox Spirit on Hainan Island (China)

“…In 1967 some 500 individuals in Singapore (almost entirely Chinese males) suffered koro attacks over a two week period. It is interesting that only a quarter of the cases had heard of such an illness previously and that sexual activity prior to the onset of symptoms was reported in only two cases (Jilek and Jilek-Aall, 1985). The epidemic was occasioned by a rumour regarding contaminated pork.…”