User:Sherriestevens/practice

Qi-gong psychotic reaction has been described in recent years as a new culture-bound syndrome in China. Qi-gong is a newer phenomenon which draws on this older tradition. Its pracitioners claim to project their qi into the bodies of participants at qi-gong meetings, and to enhance the vital force of participants by so doing. The reactions of participants resembles the raptures of glossolalia seen at charismatic Christian events; they often writhe and move in time with the qi-gong leader.

The diagnosis of "Qigong deviation syndrome" showed the following criteria: 1) normal behavior before doing Qigong exercise; 2) psychological and physiological reactions appear during or after Qigong exercise; suggestion and autosuggestion may play an important role; 3) the manifestation of Qigong deviation syndrome does not meet the diagnostic criteria of schizophrenia, affective disorder and neuroses.

qi-gong psychotic reaction could occur after participating in a Chinese folk practice of qi-gong, which is thought to be health-enhancing. Symptoms may include paranoia, dissociated, or other nonpsychotic behaviors. This reaction is normally a time-limited episode and individuals who are involved beyond normal circumstances in this practice are extremely vulnerable. Qi-gong translates to "exercise of vital energy".

A 57-year-old Chinese-American man had a three-week history of auditory and visual hallucinations. The patient had begun qi-gong practices as therapy for chronic problems with kidney stones. After several days of intensive qi-gong, he began hearing voices telling him how to practice qi-gong, and to believe that he had contacted beings from another dimension. He sought help from the qi-gong masters, but to no avail. His wife brought him to see a psychiatrist, who diagnosed him with schizophreniform disorder and treated him with anti-psychotic medications.