Br J Psychiatry. 1989 Feb; 154(): 218-20.

'Bhanamati' sorcery and psychopathology in south India. A clinical study.

Keshavan MS, Narayanan HS, Gangadhar BN.

Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh.

We describe the patterns of illness attributed to sorcery among 209 patients who attended a special clinic in south India. Somatisation and conversion disorders accounted for the majority of patients, although several other psychiatric and medical disorders were also seen. Aspects of treatment of such patients in the sociocultural context are discussed.