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Dhat Syndrome

A Sex Neurosis of the Indian Subcontinent

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

R. K. Chadda*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital Shahdara, Delhi – 110032, India
N. Ahuja
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Gobind Ballab Pant Hospital, New Delhi - 110002, India
*
Correspondence

Abstract

Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound sex neurosis of the Indian subcontinent. Fifty-two patients with a presenting complaint of passage of ‘Dhat’ in urine were studied. Diagnosis of neurotic depression, anxiety neurosis, hypochondriacal neurosis, and psychogenic impotence were made in 21, 19, 3, and 1 cases respectively. Seven patients received the diagnosis of pure Dhat syndrome, and one of gonorrhoea.

Type
Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1990 

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