Am J Psychiatry 1975; 132:753-755
Copyright © 1975 by American Psychiatric Association
A syndrome of depression and mutism in the Oglala Sioux
TH Lewis
The wacinko syndrome in the Oglala Sioux varies from a nonclinical reaction
to pathological degrees of anger, pouting, withdrawal, depression,
psychomotor retardation, mutism, immobility, and even to suicide. Although
indigenous proctitioners recognize the syndrome as a distinctive disorder,
it has not been described by non-Indian practitioners. The author presents
a case report and suggests that most cases are diagnosable as reactive
depressive illness.
