Which culture-bound syndrome among Latinos is characterized by shaking, uncontrollable shouting or crying, a sense of rising heat, loss of control, and aggression, followed by fainting or seizure-like episodes after family-related stress?

• A. Ataque de nervios
• B. ADHD
• C. Autism spectrum disorder
• D. Avoidant personality disorder

Answer: (A)

Ataque de nervios is a culture-bound syndrome seen in Latino communities. It appears as an abrupt, intense episode triggered by family-related stress, with shaking, uncontrollable shouting or crying, a sensation of rising heat, a sense of losing control, and aggression, often followed by fainting or seizure-like episodes. This pattern reflects a culturally specific way distress is expressed and managed in that context, rather than a standard Western psychiatric disorder. Other options don’t match this situational, culturally influenced flare: ADHD involves persistent inattention and/or hyperactivity; autism spectrum disorder centers on social communication deficits from early development; and avoidant personality disorder features long-standing social inhibition and fear of rejection, not a sudden, culturally patterned emergency reaction to family stress.