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Hi-Wa itck

Hiwaitck (Hi-wa itck) is culture bound syndrome usually associated with Mohave American Indians. "Culture-bound syndromes are generally limited to specific societies or cultural areas and are usually localized." This disorder is sometimes attributed to the separation from a loved and in some more extreme cases, suicide may occur

Origins

Hi-wa itck can be translated as heart break, making it known sometimes as "the heart break syndrome". According to the Mohave indian tribe, health is defined by relationships with others, specificly family members or loved ones. This particular indian tribe views good health as the equality of mind, body, spirit. Illnesses of any type may be believed to be an opportunity to purify one's soul. Hi-Wa itck is not a commonly diagnosed disorder and is very limited around the world. This disorder is however common amongst the Mohave Indian tribe, found today in southeast California. Hi-wa itck is caused by very unique combinations of social circumstances and is effectively treated with certain cultural practices. The causes of this disorder are expressed in a social stress sitation.

Symptoms

Symptoms may include but are not limited to:

• depression
• insomnia
• loss of appetite
• Suicidal thoughts and or attempts are often liked with this disorder as well.

This disorder Can be classified as a type of psychosis or neurosis, and is mostly present in older men when their younger wives or significant others leave them, particularly intimate partners. This could also occur as a result of the loss of a loved one, such as a family member. "This rarely follows the desertion of a mohave husband by a wife approximately his own age."

Treatment

Although the Mohaves have practices specified to decrease possible insanity, they lack therapy for cases of Hi-wa itck. Some Mohave tribes have been advised by their Shamans (indian voodoo doctor)to burn different grasses, leaves, and herbs to rid themselves of negative energy. In this process, they are able to cleanse the mind, body, spirit and emotions bringing in positive forces.

References

1 [Glossary of culutre bound syndromes http://homepage.mac.com/mccajor/cbs_glos.html]

2. [Primitive Psychiatry. I. a Note on Method. IIHiwa:itck: George Devereux. Bull. of the Inst. of History of Med., VIII, 1940, pp. 1194–1213]

3. [Culture-Bound Syndromes [1]

4. [Culture-bound psychotic disorders, possession states, emergency cross-cultural current modern psychiatric assessment, and the future of current modern cultural psychiatry: a global perspective by Dr Andrew MacLean Pagon MD]

5. [2]

6. [Culture Specific Diseases [3]

7. [Cultural Aspects of Suicide Hari D. Maharajh* and Petal S. AbdoolDepartment of Medical Sciences, University of West Indies, MT Hope, Trinidad, West Indies TheScientificWorldJournal (2005) 5, 736–746 ISSN 1537-744X; DOI 10.1100/tsw.2005.01.88]

8. [Stubbs, Lauren. Hi-wa itck "Heart Break Syndrome" http://www.wix.com/volvochick15/culturespecificsyndromesnapage-4]

9. [Quick Reference to Child and Adolescent Forensics: A Guide for Nurses and other health care professionals. By Mary E. Muscari, Kathleen M. Brown]