Title: Sexual Comorbidities in Dhat Syndrome

Authors: Dr Ashwin Jain, Dr Yogendra Deshpande

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i1.138

Abstract

 

Introduction

Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome seen in the natives of Indian subcontinent. The word "Dhat" derives from the Sanskrit language word dhatu, meaning "metal," "elixir" or "constituent part of the body" which is considered to be "the most concentrated, perfect and powerful bodily substance, and its preservation guarantees health and longevity"(1). Myth prevalent among people of the Indian subcontinent is that “it takes 40 days for 40 drops of food to be converted to one drop of blood, 40 drops of blood to make one drop of bone marrow and 40 drops of bone marrow form one drop of semen(2). Prof. N. N. Wig(3) coined the term "Dhat syndrome," characterized by vague somatic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite and guilt attributed to semen loss through nocturnal emissions, urine and masturbation though there is no evidence of loss of semen. This notion of seminal loss frightens the individual into developing a sense of doom even when a single drop of semen is lost, thereby producing a series of somatic symptoms(4). From a clinical perspective, the symptoms in dhat syndrome may cluster to give a spectrum of other sexual diagnostic possibilities ranging from premature ejaculation, erectile dysfunction to apprehension about potency.

Aims and Objectives

To assess various sexual comorbidities in patients of Dhat syndrome.

References

  1. Om Prakash, Lessons for postgraduate trainees about Dhat syndrome, Indian J Psychiatry. 2007 Jul-Sep; 49(3): 208–210.
  2. Nashi Khan*Dhat syndrome in relation to demographic characteristics Indian J Psychiatry. 2005 Jan-Mar; 47(1): 54–57  doi:  10.4103/0019-5545.460778).
  3. Wig NN. Problem of mental health in India. J Clin Social Psychiatry 1960;17:48-53.
  4. Chadda RK, Ahuja N. Dhat syndrome: A sex neurosis of the Indian subcontinent. Br J Psychiatry 1990;156:577-9.
  1. Prakash O. Lessons for postgraduate trainees about Dhat syndrome. Indian J Psychiatry 2007;49:208-10.
  2. Grover et al. Comorbidity in Patients with Dhat Syndrome: A Nationwide Multicentric Study. J Sex Med 2015;12:1398–1401
  3. Chadda RK, Ahuja N. Dhat syndrome: A sex neurosis of the Indian subcontinent. Br J Psychiatry 1990;156:577–9.
  4. Nakra BRS, Wig NN, Varma VK. A study of male potency disorders. Indian J Psychiatry 1977;19:13–8.
  5. Deb KS, Balhara YS. Dhat syndrome: A review of the world literature. Indian J Psychol Med 2013;35:326–31.
  6. Deb KS, Balhara YS. Dhat syndrome: A review of the world literature. Indian J Psychol Med 2013;35:326–31.

Corresponding Author

Dr Ashwin Jain

Department of Psychiatry, Index Medical College, 9993105996

Address: 38, New Agarwal Nagar, Opposite lotus showroom, Sapna Sangeeta Road, Indore, MP, 452001