Amok syndrome is a cultural syndrome. Ok, but what does this mean? Well, we should start by explaining what cultural syndromes are. A syndrome in general is a set of symptoms and signs that manifest together, without any known cause.unlike diseases, which usually have a known or identifiable biological cause.
1. What is Amok syndrome?
Amok syndrome manifests as a uncontrollable fit of rage that, when unleashed, does not distinguish innocent from guilty. It is common to find it in the American news in those shootings that break out for no apparent reason in schools, shopping centers or any public space. Are you already beginning to identify it? Yes, those mass shootings that are usually talked about in the news respond, most of the time, to Amok syndrome.
Etymologically speaking, the word Amok is understood as Rush furiously into battle. The person suffering from this syndrome feels intense anger and rage that leads him to attack any person or animal present, and then attempt suicide.
This person, when he is in the middle of an acute attack, does not know the dialogue or reasons, and the only way to stop it usually immobilize. Otherwise, it will continue to attack everything that crosses its path. The episode can be accompanied by a variety of symptoms, which commonly include depression, amnesia, paranoid ideas and exhaustion.
In its beginnings, Amok syndrome was associated with cases occurring exclusively in Malaysia. However, over time this syndrome has been “deculturated”, that is, separating from its initial context to appear in other scenarios. And it is that, after all, these cases respond more to a specific cultural situation than to specific geographical limits. But what then defines Amok syndrome? In what contexts does it occur and why? Let’s find out.
2. Causes of Amok syndrome
Without a doubt, Amok syndrome arouses terror, due to its enormous potential to do evil. But, what is it that generates this mental illness? What are the causes that drive it? Well, the authors who have studied it, especially in the Malay population, the place where it originates, defend that the syndrome is a response to frustration and humiliation. According to the religious beliefs of this population, the theory that it was spiritual or demonic possessions.
The reality is that it seems to have a predominance of the psychological component. In this sense, approximations have been made to the general profile of the person suffering from Amok syndrome. They are usually mostly male beings, with a shy, introverted and little expressive personality.
It is common that they have gone through traumatic situations throughout their lives, which have become unbearable to them. Violence within the family, or long episodes of harassment or bullying, also appear as a constant among people with Amok syndrome. These negative sensations and feelings tend to accumulate in the person’s psyche, giving rise to outbreaks of violence that can end in homicidal rage.
3. Symptoms of Amok syndrome
The fact that an outbreak of homicidal rage occurs in a person suffering from Amok syndrome, is not something that happens overnight. The individual is showing a series of symptoms and changes in their behavior, that can tell us that something is wrong with him or her. Of course, attention, observation and company are essential.
Specific, This syndrome manifests itself with symptoms such as depression moderate or severe, isolation and a high level of fatigue. When a person goes through a state of crisis, they are usually disconnected from reality, in a secondary plane. In this sense, it is important to bear in mind that the subject suffering from the syndrome does not necessarily have to have any psychiatric predisposition.
4. Treatment of Amok syndrome
Amok syndrome is an extremely rare phenomenon, fortunately. But this implies that there is no treatment to cure it. At the moment in which an outbreak of anger occurs, what is indicated is to physically contain the person, immobilizing her and preventing her from harming others. But perhaps the most important thing is prevention, in which building comprehensive mental health plays a vital role. For this, it is necessary from the families to develop relationships based on respect, recognition and affection, minimizing or eliminating the sources of violence.
5. Real cases
There are several real cases of shootings, massacres and assaults, which have been associated with the presence of Amok syndrome. Among them, for example, the Columbine Massacre. It happened in April 1999, when two students entered the premises of Columbine High School. They killed fifteen people, injured more than twenty, and ended up committing suicide.
The Virginia Tech Massacre is another episode where Amok Syndrome was revealed. It happened in 2007, the year in which the protagonist of the tragedy murdered 32 people and then committed suicide. A similar case, but again in a school, was the Massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. In 2012, a teenager murdered twenty children and seven adults, shortly before committing suicide.
In addition to Amok syndrome, there are other disorders and conditions that are truly curious. Get to know some of them below.
And you, Did you know the terrifying Amok syndrome? Do you know of other real cases? Feel free to leave us your opinions in a comment. We will be looking forward to reading them!