User:Mirney06/practice

Definition Susto is a culture bound syndrome that can be referred to as "fright sickness". It is believed that people who suffer from susto have lost their soul or are afraid of losing their soul. Susto is literally translated as "fright."

Reasoning

This can happen because of a traumatic experience and can occur at any time after the experience even if it has been years. Traumatic experiences can include accidents, seeing ghosts or spirits, being in anxious social situations, or being forced to do something that a person does not want to do.

Symptoms

People who suffer from susto may not sleep well, distance themselves from public interaction, and do not eat as much. They also experience anxiety, crying, heart palpitations, and irritability, which would cause many Western doctors to say that the person has depression or anxiety. Some of the symptoms of susto, like other culture bound syndromes, are found only in certain parts of Mexico and are affected by different type of culture, more so in the Latino community. Susto is found more in women than men and can be found in children. People with susto who are left untreated for 5 years or more have a higher chance of death. Those who have died from susto have been diagnosed with diabetes and liver disease.

Cures

Usually "curanderos" treat susto by a couple of different methods. However, if a person does not have a severe case of susto, usually medication can be given. Curanderos will perform rituals where eggs are placed where the soul loss was and gifts are given to the spirits. Victims are then placed near a hot stove or under many blankets to make them sweat a lot. Curanderos may also "sweep" the victim's body with a "barrida" which is made of herbs grouped together. There are remedies to be taken by mouth made by boiling herbs and vinegar. Susto will not go away on its own.