Culture-bound syndromes

In the last decades,the occurrence of migratory movements has led us to attend more and more patients from other cultures in our mental health outpatient services. Many times, those symptoms considered psychotic or delusional may probably have a cultural component. There is no doubt that culture influences how people experience their emotions, how they express them and where they seek help. 

Culture bound syndromes are psychiatric syndromes related to cultural aspects in their formation or psychopathological manifestation. They cover behavioural, affective and cognitive manifestations frequently observed in specific cultures. The clinical features are usually different from those similar psychiatric disorders found in Western classifications. 

In this review, we will describe the characteristics of cultural bound syndromes. We will see whether they are limited to specific areas or not, whether they may be considered as “universal” disorders (neurotic, affective, psychotic or personality disorders), and ifthey are “linked to culture” and if they are stable over time. 

Finally, we will describe their clinical manifestations and we will recommend some issues for the management of the most
common symptoms.