Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options
Koro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one's sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death. Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an ep...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Open Medical Publishing
2023-02-01
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| Series: | Health Psychology Research |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.70165 |
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| _version_ | 1825139347574226944 |
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| author | Yukino N. Strong David Y. Cao Jessica Zhou Maya A. Guenther Danyon J. Anderson Alan D. Kaye Brian E. Blick Prathima R. Anandi Hirni Y. Patel Ivan Urits |
| author_facet | Yukino N. Strong David Y. Cao Jessica Zhou Maya A. Guenther Danyon J. Anderson Alan D. Kaye Brian E. Blick Prathima R. Anandi Hirni Y. Patel Ivan Urits |
| author_sort | Yukino N. Strong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Koro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one's sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death. Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an epidemic form in East and Southeast Asia, although it can present anywhere worldwide in its sporadic form. The condition typically affects young males who believe in sex-related myths, and many individuals can co-present with anxiety, depression, or even psychosis. Although most presentations of Koro are self-limiting, the condition is harmful for one's self-esteem and quality of life, and some individuals may go through extreme, physically injurious measures to prevent genital retraction. Treatments include the use of psychotherapy that has a sex education component, especially if the patient believes in culturally rooted myths. In sporadic Koro, it is believed that if the primary psychiatric disorder is treated with anxiolytics, antidepressants, sedatives, or psychotics, the secondary Koro-like symptoms will also fade. Additional investigation on the prevalence, pathogenesis, factors that correlate with treatment efficacy are needed to fully understand Koro syndrome. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-bcbe25d9f1594468bd22ef8f51102432 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2420-8124 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2023-02-01 |
| publisher | Open Medical Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health Psychology Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-bcbe25d9f1594468bd22ef8f511024322025-02-11T20:30:39ZengOpen Medical PublishingHealth Psychology Research2420-81242023-02-0111Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment OptionsYukino N. StrongDavid Y. CaoJessica ZhouMaya A. GuentherDanyon J. AndersonAlan D. KayeBrian E. BlickPrathima R. AnandiHirni Y. PatelIvan UritsKoro syndrome is a multi-tiered disease presenting as an overwhelming belief that one's sex organs are shrinking into their body. Moderate to severe anxiety attacks are associated with the condition, along with a fear of imminent death. Koro is often culturally related and is most seen as an epidemic form in East and Southeast Asia, although it can present anywhere worldwide in its sporadic form. The condition typically affects young males who believe in sex-related myths, and many individuals can co-present with anxiety, depression, or even psychosis. Although most presentations of Koro are self-limiting, the condition is harmful for one's self-esteem and quality of life, and some individuals may go through extreme, physically injurious measures to prevent genital retraction. Treatments include the use of psychotherapy that has a sex education component, especially if the patient believes in culturally rooted myths. In sporadic Koro, it is believed that if the primary psychiatric disorder is treated with anxiolytics, antidepressants, sedatives, or psychotics, the secondary Koro-like symptoms will also fade. Additional investigation on the prevalence, pathogenesis, factors that correlate with treatment efficacy are needed to fully understand Koro syndrome.https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.70165 |
| spellingShingle | Yukino N. Strong David Y. Cao Jessica Zhou Maya A. Guenther Danyon J. Anderson Alan D. Kaye Brian E. Blick Prathima R. Anandi Hirni Y. Patel Ivan Urits Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options Health Psychology Research |
| title | Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options |
| title_full | Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options |
| title_fullStr | Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options |
| title_full_unstemmed | Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options |
| title_short | Koro Syndrome: Epidemiology, Psychiatric and Physical Risk Factors, Clinical Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options |
| title_sort | koro syndrome epidemiology psychiatric and physical risk factors clinical presentation diagnosis and treatment options |
| url | https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.70165 |
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