'Dhat' syndrome--a useful clinical entity

48 consecutive male patients of potency disorders were examined and classified as 'Dhat' syndrome, impotence or premature ejaculation. The age range of these cases was found as 20-38 years (mean 23.5 +/- 3.3 years) while age of onset was 16-24 years (mean 20.6 +/- 4.5 years). Majority of cases were unmarried (54.2%) and educated 5th class or above (79.1%). 31 cases (64.6%) had Dhat syndrome with or without impotency and/or premature ejaculation while 7 cases (14.6%) had only premature ejaculation and 10 cases (20.8%) only impotence. The cases with 'Dhat' syndrome or with impotence scored maximally on neuroticism and depression scales. Neurotic depression was the commonest associated psychiatric illness (39.5%) followed by anxiety neurosis (20.8%) while 31.3% did not have any possible diagnosis. The common presenting symptoms of 'Dhat' syndrome include weakness (70.8%), fatigue (68.7%), palpitations (68.7%), sleeplessness (62.4%) etc. Among the four groups on the basis of type of treatment (antianxiety drug, antidepressant, placebo, psychotherapy), the best response was seen in those receiving antianxiety or antidepressant drugs while those receiving psychotherapy showed minimal response. 7 cases (14.6%) dropped out of treatment and the maximum dropout (40.6%) was seen in psychotherapy group.