Dhat syndrome and its perceived impact on psychological well-being

Abstract

Background: Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome originating in the Indian subcontinent, primarily among men characterized by the fear of loss of semen. Objective: The article discusses the perceived impact of Dhat syndrome on the overall psychological well-being of the individual. Method: Four patients from hospitals in Kolkata, West Bengal, were screened using MINI and then interviewed using semi-structured interview to assess presenting concerns, interventions, psychological well-being, attitude toward sex and masturbation, and their sociodemographic details. The data were then categorized based on the dimensions of the questionnaire, which was then analyzed individually and separately based on the dimensions. The differences and commonalities between the dimensions as conveyed by the participants were then reported. Results: The analysis showed that the participants reported lower levels of psychological well-being based on the categories of Seligman's PERMA model and attributed it to the symptoms experienced by them. They traced the beginning of the hindrances to achieving optimal well-being to the onset of symptoms. Conclusion: This article proposes the incorporation of integrative therapeutic interventions and advocacy of sex education to address the psychological well-being over the current symptom reduction interventions used.