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A clinical and survey study of latah in Sarawak, Malaysia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2009

T. L. Chiu ,
J. E. Tong  and
K. E. Schmidt
T. L. Chiu
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, U.S.A.
J. E. Tong
Affiliation:
University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
K. E. Schmidt
Affiliation:
The South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia
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Synopsis

During a psychiatric survey in Sarawak, subjects demonstrating latah were examined separately, both clinically and with a questionnaire. Latah occurred only in females, mainly Malays, occasionally Ibans, and never Chinese. Fifty latah subjects were examined, seven were firmly diagnosed as being mentally ill, and another 13 demonstrated mild psychiatric disorders. Dream content indicated an overt sexual component.

Type
Research Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 2 , Issue 2 , May 1972 , pp. 155 - 165
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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References

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