Dhat Syndrome – a Useful Diagnostic Entity in Indian Culture

Abstract

In a prospective study of 144 consecutive male patients with psychosexual disorders, comprising 93 with Dhat syndrome with or without impotence or premature ejaculation, 21 with premature ejaculation, and 30 suffering only impotence, the commonest associated psychiatric illness was neurotic depression (39%) followed by anxiety neurosis (21 %), while 31% did not receive a psychiatric diagnosis. The common presenting symptoms of Dhat syndrome were weakness (71 %), fatigue (69%), palpitations (69%), and sleeplessness (62%). After random allocation into groups, four types of treatment were given: an anti-anxiety drug, an antidepressant, a placebo, or counselling. The best response was seen with the anti-anxiety and antidepressant drugs. Twenty-one patients dropped out of treatment; 15 of whom were from the counselling group.