A 36-year-old woman of Chinese descent presents to the PMHNP after a referral from her primary care physician, who has worked up her physical complaints. These physical complaints include headaches, dizziness, and abdominal pain. The patient says she also experiences insomnia, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, and fatigue. These symptoms started approximately 6 months ago, after her husband had an affair, which he ended. She is also under stress at work, since she just received a promotion. Which culture-bound syndrome should the PMHNP include in the differential diagnosis?

Choice A reason: Shenjing Shuairuo is a culture-bound syndrome in Chinese populations characterized by fatigue, somatic complaints, sleep disturbances, and difficulty concentrating in response to stress, which aligns with this patient’s presentation. Choice B reason: Susto is a Latin American syndrome associated with fright or trauma causing soul loss, often accompanied by somatic symptoms, which is not culturally consistent with this patient. Choice C reason: Kufungisisa is a Zimbabwean culture-bound syndrome involving excessive thinking leading to somatic complaints, which does not align with the patient’s cultural background. Choice D reason: Khayal is a Southeast Asian culture-bound syndrome linked to anxiety and somatic symptoms, but it is not typical in Chinese populations.