A culture specific syndrome is a health problem with a set of symptoms associated with a particular culture. (Bonvillain and Miller 2015:168) By this definition, susto must be classified as a culturally specific syndrome because its breadth is limited to Spanish-speaking regions of Central and South America. (Rubel 1964:270) There are many different types of culture specific syndromes, and depending on the location the syndromes vary. One culturally specific syndrome is susto which, in different localities could be identified as pasmo, espanto and perdida da la sombra. (Rubel 1964:270) “Susto is a “fright/shock disease” and is found in Spain and Portugal among Latino people wherever they live.” (Bonvillain and Miller 2015: 168) It is believed
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Since there are so many symptoms that are present in susto that reflect onto other diseases or illness, is it not hard to mistakenly self-diagnose someone, or yourself. (Crandon 1983:165) It plays a great role on the cultural surroundings since susto is often accompanied by fear or getting frightened, it is even easier for someone to think that they possess this syndrome. (Rubel 1964:271) Tibbet argues that “neither organic problems, psychosocial stress, nor psychological variables could possibly account for all cases of susto.” (Crandon 1983:154) In the Bolivian village that Dr. Libbet Crandon studied, she found that many of the illness that were diagnosed as susto ended up being diagnosed as something other than susto without any of the symptoms changing. (Crandon 1983:154) The different standards that are displayed for men and women also play a part in susto. Something that is deemed scary or frightening for a woman would not be applicable for men. Although both men and women risk getting ill as a consequence of failure to adequately perform sex specific tasks, not all tasks are equally risky. (Rubel 1964:281) Hispanic America and similar regions are the only regions and cultures that descry susto and treat it. (Rubel 1964:270) However, the impacts that susto has can vary depending on what specific region the victim resides in. (Crandon 1964:166) The …show more content…
It is believed that susto appears to individuals and their inability adequately fulfil the expectations of society in which they have been socialized.(Rubel 1954:278) As mentioned before, most reports around susto depict getting frightened which then scares the soul or spirit out of the victims body which leads to them experiencing a series of symptoms. The main symptoms that have appeared throughout the Spanish speaking regions most commonly include restlessness while sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of energy and strength, fever, diarrhea and could possible lead to paralysis and again, in some cases end up being fatal. (Crandon 1983:156) There are no other cultures that recognize it although they may have similar syndromes in terms of the symptoms. Susto is also a cultural syndrome because it is shared among and affects a similar group of people. To treat susto, the patient is massaged and started sweating s that the illness could be removed from the body. (Rubel 1964:271) The sickness which has entered the victim’s body is either removed by sweeping medical branches across the person, or by passing hen’s eggs, guinea pigs or a fowl across the victim in order to absorb the illness. (Rubel 1964:279) Susto can vary in beliefs within different villages and villagers in certain countries. For example, the mestizos believe that the soul is delicately
Since there are so many symptoms that are present in susto that reflect onto other diseases or illness, is it not hard to mistakenly self-diagnose someone, or yourself. (Crandon 1983:165) It plays a great role on the cultural surroundings since susto is often accompanied by fear or getting frightened, it is even easier for someone to think that they possess this syndrome. (Rubel 1964:271) Tibbet argues that “neither organic problems, psychosocial stress, nor psychological variables could possibly account for all cases of susto.” (Crandon 1983:154) In the Bolivian village that Dr. Libbet Crandon studied, she found that many of the illness that were diagnosed as susto ended up being diagnosed as something other than susto without any of the symptoms changing. (Crandon 1983:154) The different standards that are displayed for men and women also play a part in susto. Something that is deemed scary or frightening for a woman would not be applicable for men. Although both men and women risk getting ill as a consequence of failure to adequately perform sex specific tasks, not all tasks are equally risky. (Rubel 1964:281) Hispanic America and similar regions are the only regions and cultures that descry susto and treat it. (Rubel 1964:270) However, the impacts that susto has can vary depending on what specific region the victim resides in. (Crandon 1964:166) The …show more content…
It is believed that susto appears to individuals and their inability adequately fulfil the expectations of society in which they have been socialized.(Rubel 1954:278) As mentioned before, most reports around susto depict getting frightened which then scares the soul or spirit out of the victims body which leads to them experiencing a series of symptoms. The main symptoms that have appeared throughout the Spanish speaking regions most commonly include restlessness while sleeping, loss of appetite, weight loss, loss of energy and strength, fever, diarrhea and could possible lead to paralysis and again, in some cases end up being fatal. (Crandon 1983:156) There are no other cultures that recognize it although they may have similar syndromes in terms of the symptoms. Susto is also a cultural syndrome because it is shared among and affects a similar group of people. To treat susto, the patient is massaged and started sweating s that the illness could be removed from the body. (Rubel 1964:271) The sickness which has entered the victim’s body is either removed by sweeping medical branches across the person, or by passing hen’s eggs, guinea pigs or a fowl across the victim in order to absorb the illness. (Rubel 1964:279) Susto can vary in beliefs within different villages and villagers in certain countries. For example, the mestizos believe that the soul is delicately