A qualitative study on psychopathology of dhat syndrome in men: Implications for classification of disorders.

BACKGROUND: Dhat syndrome is regarded by many as a culture bound syndrome of the Indian sub-continent. However the nosological status, conceptual understanding of the condition as well as the diagnostic guidelines are all mired in controversy.

AIMS: The current study aims to study the psychopathology of Dhat syndrome in men by using a qualitative approach and to arrive at an operational definition for diagnosing Dhat syndrome.

METHOD: The qualitative approach consisted of five Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and five Key Individual Interviews (KII) with participants, consisting of patients as well as doctors - both allopathic as well as traditional.

RESULTS: Detailed analysis revealed valuable data regarding the symptoms, causes, treatment measures, socio-cultural context, psychiatric co-morbidity, nature of the disorder and various other phenomenological dimensions. Ideas for future nosological positioning were also specifically looked for. Operational definition and diagnostic guidelines were also arrived at based on the analysis as well as on previous literature.

CONCLUSION: Although lot of agreement existed among various stakeholders about symptoms and presentation, they varied significantly in their opinion on nature of the condition and treatment. Suggestions for ICD 11 have been made.