Wei han zheng (frigophobia): a culture-related psychiatric syndrome

• Published in: Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry Vol. 32; no. 4; p. 582
• Main Author: Ng, B Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-08-1998
• Subjects: Attitude to Health - ethnology; China - ethnology; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; Family Health - ethnology; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Phobic Disorders - ethnology; Phobic Disorders - therapy; Recurrence; Singapore; Somatoform Disorders - ethnology; Treatment Outcome; Yin-Yang; China; Singapore
• ISSN: 0004-8674
• DOI: 10.3109/00048679809068335

The aim of this paper is to describe a clinical case of wei han zheng (frigophobia) in Singapore.
A 45-year-old Chinese housewife had morbid fears of cold, in terms of temperature, and food of a cold (yin) nature, and a variety of somatic symptoms. She stopped working, adopted various measures to avoid exposure to cold air and wind, and took dietary precautions.
She received intermittent follow-ups over the following 8 years. An episodic, albeit recurrent, course was documented. Treatment consisted of symptomatic relief using low dose anxiolytics and antidepressants, and psychological interventions.
Frigophobia is closely related to, and strongly influenced by, cultural beliefs. In therapy, it would be pertinent to consider the patient's own cultural beliefs about the illness as compared to the therapist's model of illness, and how matching of these could be negotiated.