| A unique panic-disorder presentation among Khmer refugees: the sore-neck syndrome. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 11680477 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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This article describes a previously unreported cultural syndrome among Khmer refugees. This common presentation of distress centers on the complaint of a sore neck, the sufferer fearing that wind-and-blood pressure may burst the vessels in this area. During an acute episode, a Khmer endures many--if not all--of the following neck-and-head complaints: headache, blurry vision, a buzzing in the ear, and dizziness. While in the throes of the sore-neck attack, the patient frequently experiences palpitations as well as other symptoms of autonomic arousal, such as diaphoresis, shortness of breath, and trembling. A sufferer of sore-neck episodes often meets panic disorder criteria. In a clinic survey, thirty-five out of eighty-five patients (41%) were found to currently suffer the "sore-neck syndrome" (i.e., to have endured at least one episode in the last month), with almost all of these thirty-five patients (80%) fearing death during the acute event. The sore-neck syndrome represents a common and important way in which distress becomes embodied. The clinician must learn this body language; otherwise, the patient's communication of psychic, interpersonal, and physical pain goes unheard--and grave somatic suffering and disability unattended to--discounted as puzzling somatic complaints and unreasonable obsessionalism about blood pressure. |
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Authors:
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D Hinton; K Um; P Ba |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Culture, medicine and psychiatry Volume: 25 ISSN: 0165-005X ISO Abbreviation: Cult Med Psychiatry Publication Date: 2001 Sep |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2001-10-26 Completed Date: 2002-02-01 Revised Date: 2007-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7707467 Medline TA: Cult Med Psychiatry Country: Netherlands |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 297-316 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Revere, MA, USA. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adult Anecdotes as Topic Cambodia / ethnology Female Humans Interview, Psychological Male Massachusetts / epidemiology Middle Aged Neck Pain / ethnology, physiopathology*, psychology* Panic Disorder / diagnosis*, ethnology*, etiology, psychology Prevalence Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Psychophysiologic Disorders / complications Refugees / psychology* Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications*, ethnology Syndrome |
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