Am J Psychiatry. 1975 Jul; 132(7): 753-5.

A syndrome of depression and mutism in the Oglala Sioux.

Lewis TH.

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.