Beyond Gender Norms: A Case Report on Female Dhat Syndrome

syndrome, a diagnosis supported by her cultural background and the strong somatic focus on vaginal discharge.Previous consultations had failed to provide relief, as the patient's symptoms were dismissed as physical, and no psychiatric interventions were attempted.She was highly motivated to address her symptoms, and after a thorough evaluation, a psychiatric approach was initiated.The treatment plan was designed to address both her depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as the cultural belief surrounding her perceived loss of vaginal fluids.Escitalopram, an SSRI commonly used for anxiety and depressive disorders, was started at a dose of 10 mg/day.Additionally, Aripiprazole (2 mg/day) was introduced as an adjunct to mitigate any SSRI-induced sexual side effects and to address her persistent somatic preoccupation.Over the course of 6 weeks, the patient was closely monitored for both psychiatric and somatic symptoms.Psychoeducation was provided to explain the physiological basis of vaginal discharge, emphasizing its normalcy, while addressing her cultural beliefs sensitively.Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was also introduced to help reframe her thoughts and alleviate the anxiety associated with the condition.mental health evaluation revealed moderate symptoms of anxiety and depression.The patient met the diagnostic criteria for