Everything about Susto totally explained
Susto is a
cultural illness, specifically a "fright sickness" with strong
psychological overtones. Susto comes from the
Portuguese and
Spanish word for "fright" (for example Sudden intense fear, as of something immediately threatening). A more severe and potentially fatal form of susto is called
espanto (also from
Spanish, meaning terror or intense fright). People believe that if a person is suffering from susto, his or her
soul is separated from the body
Culturally stressed adults (women more often than men) are most likely to suffer from susto, although children may also be afflicted. The
onset of the disease generally follows a sudden frightening experience such as an accident, a fall, witnessing a relative's sudden
death, or any other potentially dangerous event. Research shows that knowledge of the existence of susto is a major contributing factor in improving the condition.
Symptoms and treatment
Symptoms of susto are thought to include nervousness,
anorexia,
insomnia, listlessness,
despondency, involuntary muscle
tics, and
diarrhea. A variety of
placebo treatments may be used to treat susto. Treatments include the consumption of
orange blossom,
brazil wood or
marijuana teas. An oral solution of
figs boiled in
vinegar is also imagined to be somewhat therapeutic.
Supposedly, the most effective cures are the ceremonies known as
limpieza (
Spanish for "cleansing") or
barrida (
Spanish for "sweeping"). The limpia or barrida are considered to be best administered immediately after the
traumatic event occurs, and are ideally conducted by a
curandero (healer). During the limpia/barrida, the patient recounts the details of the frightening event, then lies down on the floor on the axis of a
crucifix. The curandero may have the
crucifix outlined with
aluminum foil or other shiny material. The victim's body is then brushed with a bouquet of fresh herbs such as
basil,
purple sage,
rosemary or
rue, while the curandero and other participants recite
prayers. Depending on local custom, the curandero may also jump over the victim's body. This is thought by some to exhort the frightened soul back into the body.
Classification
Because there's no universal understanding of this illness and symptoms vary from culture to culture, susto is generally regarded as a
folk illness.
Traditional Western medicine hasn't yet recognized susto but there are some similarities between susto and certain
stress disorders. “
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder” and “Acute Stress Disorder," in particular, share many similarities with the condition known as susto. According to the
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV TR (
DSM-IV-TR) fourth edition
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder is associated with increased rates of "
Major Depressive Disorder", "Generalized Anxiety Disorder", and "
Social Phobia". The
DSM-IV-TR also states that certain forms of
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder can have characteristic symptoms which include diminished participation in significant activities, feeling of detachment from others, and difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Many anthropologists also contend that susto is the Latin American version of
schizophrenia.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Susto'.
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