Non Pharmacological Treatment of Dhat Syndrome

Dhat comprises of vague somatic symptoms of fatigue, weakness, anxiety, loss of appetite, guilt and sexual dysfunction attributed by the patient to loss of semen in nocturnal emissions through urine and masturbation. In the individual psyche therefore semen starts to take on an over whelming importance, and these notions frighten the individual. The present study was planned to assess common misconception among patients attending marital and psychosexual clinic and to examine the impact of psycho education on these myths and misconceptions. 42 patients were included in the study i) Diagnosis of dhat syndrome, ii) Concern regarding masturbation as a presenting complaint and iii) Seeking treatment for noctural emission of semen. Patients with associated co morbid psychiatric, medical, surgical, substance abuse, neurological disorders and intellectual deficit were excluded. A structured psychosexual proforma which included information on knowledge and attitude about sexual functions and sex disorders, past sexual practices, current sexual functioning and reasons of presenting to clinic was used. The level of intervention was determined by Word PLISSIT. Three psycho education sessions were taken. The findings of the study reveal that misconception associated with sex and sexuality are very common. 71% patients reported improvement in attitude and knowledge. The findings of the study are quite encouraging as the earlier intervention techniques including drugs and counseling have shown limited efficacy.