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‘Bhanamati’ Sorcery and Psychopathology in South India

A Clinical Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

M. S. Keshavan ,
H. S. Narayanan  and
B. N. Gangadhar
M. S. Keshavan*
Affiliation:
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh
H. S. Narayanan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India
B. N. Gangadhar
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India
*
∗3811 O'Hara Street, Pittsburgh, Pa 15213
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Abstract

We describe the patterns of illness attributed to sorcery among 209 patients who attended a special clinic in south India. Somatisation and conversion disorders accounted for the majority of patients, although several other psychiatric and medical disorders were also seen. Aspects of treatment of such patients in the sociocultural context are discussed.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 154 , Issue 2 , February 1989 , pp. 218 - 220
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1989 

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