Culture-bound syndromes: Health24: Psychology

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Culture-bound syndromes

Did you know that certain conditions are only present in certain societies? Have a look at the culture-bound syndromes we find in South Africa.

Amok

Ever heard the expression "running amok". Amok is one of the best known culture-bound syndromes.

Culture Bound Syndromes

When we think of psychiatric illnesses we think of illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia. But have you ever heard of “amok”, amafufunyana or intwaso?

Because the deliberate induction of altered states of consciousness is part of the training and practice of shamanic healers, these states are culturally familiar to many Africans. But they are very unfamiliar to most Europeans.

Amafufunyana

Amafufunyana is a serious disorder described among Zulus and Xhosas. African traditional healers believe that people have been invaded and possessed by evil spirits as a result of witchcraft.

Brain fag

Have you ever done so much studying that you felt that your brain had become tired and that you could not cope with any more studying? Stress from studying can cause various symptoms.

Intwaso:Shamanic initiatory illness

In many cultures, people who become healers or shamans do not do so by choice. They are struck by a serious and debilitating illness. Severe physical symptoms and unusual dreams or waking visions indicate that the person is being called to undergo initiation as a shamanic healer (Kalweit, 1988). It is therefore a shamanic initiatory illness.

Bodies beyond belief

Dissatisfaction with one’s natural-born body with seems to be a universal human gripe. But these bizarre modifications wouldn't even occur to most of us.