Dhat Syndrome: Unusual Manifestation in a Distinct Cultural Context

Dhat syndrome is a culture-bound syndrome that presents with concerns about semen loss. This is a case of a 38-year-old Indian male who was brought to our psychiatric emergency department in Dubai, United Arab Emirates due to concerns of dizziness, excessive worry, and preoccupation with health. He reported somatic symptoms of left lumbar pain and passage of small, white stones during urination a few weeks before presentation. Subsequently, he developed multiple other symptoms like palpitations, tremors, sweating, and a few fainting episodes among others. During the assessment, it was understood he believed he was losing semen and this was affecting him significantly. He also had a few other stressors in his personal life. He previously had similar symptoms and claimed that traditional treatments treated him, hence insisted on a traditional healer at this time. He was found to have an anxious mood on further examination and was diagnosed with Dhat syndrome. He was started on treatment with a benzodiazepine and an antidepressant. This case piqued our interest as it is a condition with a significant cultural basis which presented in a region outside the relevant cultural region. The symptoms the patient presented with and the concerns he was seeking treatment for were quite unusual and seemed a rare incidence in the Middle East region.