Glossary
Koro Syndrome
What is
Koro Syndrome?
Koro Syndrome is a culture-bound mental health issue that can cause significant distress to individuals. Understanding and addressing it through therapy can lead to improved well-being and quality of life.
What Is It?
Koro syndrome is a culture-bound psychological condition involving intense fear that one’s genitals are retracting into the body, potentially leading to death. Causes may include cultural beliefs, anxiety, stress, or underlying psychiatric disorders like body dysmorphic or anxiety disorders.
Common Experiences
Individuals with Koro often experience sudden panic, seek reassurance, or physically attempt to prevent the perceived retraction. Episodes may be triggered by sexual activity, illness, or stress, and are often accompanied by racing thoughts, somatic sensations, and overwhelming fear of death.
How It Can Affect You
Koro can cause severe distress, social embarrassment, and repeated medical visits. It may lead to anxiety disorders or avoidance behaviours. Treatment typically involves psychoeducation, cultural sensitivity, cognitive-behavioural therapy, and sometimes anti-anxiety or antipsychotic medication, depending on the severity and underlying conditions.
Ways Therapy Can Help
Providing coping strategies for managing koro syndrome
Creating a safe, empathic space to explore thoughts and emotions
Identifying triggers and underlying causes
Building self-compassion and improving self-awareness
