Piblokto, also known as pibloktoq and Arctic hysteria, is a condition most commonly reported in Inughuit societies of Northwest Greenland living within the Arctic Circle, appearing most often in winter. It is described as a culture-specific hysterical reaction, especially among Inuit women, who may perform irrational or dangerous acts followed by amnesia for the episode, and has been linked by some researchers to repression of the personality of Inuit women. It is listed as a culture-bound syndrome in the glossary of the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, though more recent studies have questioned whether the condition exists at all.
Facts
Partially Attested
First Described YearPiblokto was first documented in 1892 and reports by European explorers describe the phenomenon as common to all Arctic regions. Classification
Type of Phenomenon Diagnostic Chapter Connections
In Branch
Source Wikipedia: Piblokto
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Piblokto
- Wikipedia Piblokto lead paragraph: culture-specific hysterical reaction with irrational acts followed by amnesia for the event
Wikipedia article text
Piblokto was first documented in 1892 and reports by European explorers describe the phenomenon as common to all Arctic regions.
- en.wikipedia.org: Piblokto
In Branch: Abnormal Psychology, Lead section
Piblokto, also known as pibloktoq and Arctic hysteria, is a condition most commonly appearing in Inughuit (Northwest Greenlandic Inuit) societies living within the Arctic Circle.
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