Therapeutic Implication of Associated Co-morbidities in Dhat Syndrome: A Case Report

Abstract

Dhat syndrome is a culture bound syndrome. Patients with Dhat syndrome presents with various somatic, psychiatric and sexual complaints and attributes these problem to loss of semen. Loss of semen either due to ‘swapn dosh’ or ‘hasth maithun’ is perceived to be pathological by these patients. The myths regarding Dhat syndrome are further triggered by indigenous systems of medicine and erotic literature, which regard Dhat as a precious fluid. Patients with Dhat syndrome often have psychiatric co-morbidities, which adds to the level of distress of the individual. Management of Dhat syndrome includes correction of the core belief, alleviation of the symptoms as well as treatment of the co-morbidity. Non-pharmacological treatment is most commonly used which focuses on teaching the patient relaxation exercises and the actual reason of their symptoms.