No attempt has been made to list detailed diagnostic criteria for these disorders: it is hoped that this will become possible when more reliable clinical, anthropological, epidemiological, and biological information is available. Assigment of the disorders to categories in ICD-10, Chapter V(F) must be regarded as tentative. In certain instances, when available descriptions suggest that there is considerable variation in the clinical states covered by the term, more than one code has been given.
References Lebra WP, ed. Culture-bound syndromes, ethnopsychiatry, and alternate therapies. Honolulu, University of Hawaii, 1976. Simons RC, Hughes CC, eds. The culture-bound syndromes. Dordrecht, Reidel, 1985. Yap Pow-Meng. Mental diseases peculiar to certain cultures: a survey of comparative psychiatry. Journal of mental science, 1951, 97: 313-327.
Amok (Indonesia; Malaysia) An indiscriminate, seemingly unprovoked episode of homicidal or highly destructive behaviour, followed by amnesia or fatigue. Many episodes culminate in suicide. Most events occur without warning, although some are precipitated by a period of intense anxiety or hostility. Some studies suggest that cases may derive traditional values placed on extreme aggression and suicidal attacks in warfare. Suggested ICD-10 code F68.8 Other specified disorders of adult personality and behaviour Potentially related syndromes ahade idzi be (the island of New Guinea) benzi mazurazura (southern Africa (among Shona and affiliated groups)) berserkergang (Scandinavia) cafard (Polynesia) colerina (the Andes of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru) hwa-byung (Korean peninsula) iich'aa (indigenous peoples of south-western America)