Summary
A chronic neurotic syndrome among Muslim women in India with predominantly somatic multiple symptomatology is briefly described. It is suggested that the syndrome is distinctive in its clinical features and in the cultural background of the patients. Pending resolution of its nosological status it is referred to as Somatic neurosis. In an attempt to determine its nature a group of 20 Muslim women with the syndrome were compared on 6 variables with 20 women with anxiety neurosis and 20 with depressive neurosis. With the exception of age, on which they were similar to Depressive neurosis group, the Muslim group was significantly different from the comparison groups. It is concluded that the syndrome is distinctive enough to merit an intensive sociocultural study.
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Janakiramaiah, N., Subbakrishna, D.K. Somatic neurosis in Muslim women in India. Soc Psychiatry 15, 203–206 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577990
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00577990