Koro

{{folklore}}
'''''Koro''''', also known as '''''shook yang''''', is a medical condition that causes the external genitalia — usually the penis, but in some cases the nipples and vulva — to shrink or become reabsorbed into the body, with usually fatal results.  It is a "folk illness," transmitted by [[meme]].  This means that you risk contracting it by learning of its existence.  If you are reading this sentence, you have been exposed, and it is ''already too late''.<ref>Esther Inglis-Arkel, [http://io9.com/5944722/koro-syndrome-the-irrational-fear-of-lethal-genital-shrinkage Koro Syndrome: The Irrational Fear of Lethal Genital Shrinkage], io9.com</ref>

==Symptoms==
[[Image:Florida Box Turtle Digon3 re-edited.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Poor fellow.]]
Victims report acute anxiety attacks due to their perception that their genitalia are being reabsorbed or shrinking, despite any objectively visible [[biological]] changes in the genitalia that are longstanding.  They may injure themselves by attaching strings, weights, or hooks, in an attempt to prevent further retraction.  Alleged triggering factors include [[witchcraft]], [[sex]]ual relations with [[prostitution|prostitutes]], [[masturbation]], and food poisoning. Victims believe that their ''[[yin and yang|yang]]'' has been tampered with, or spent unwisely.  

It is listed in the ''Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR'' in its glossary of [[culture]]-bound syndromes.  As a culture-bound phenomenon, it is associated with Southeast [[Asia]], and is particularly associated with southern [[China]], [[Indonesia]], [[Thailand]], [[Malaysia]], and [[Singapore]], and particularly with people from the Chinese diaspora who inhabit those regions.<ref>Pow-Meng Yap,  "Koro — A Culture-Bound Depersonalization Syndrome" (1965) ''British Journal of Psychiatry'' 3: 45–50</ref> A major outbreak in Singapore in 1967 was ascribed to the consumption of tainted [[pork]].<ref>Koro study team (December 1969), "The Koro "Epidemic" in Singapore", ''Singapore Medical Journal'' 10 (4): 234–42.</ref><ref>Ng, B. Y. (August 1969), "History of Koro in Singapore", ''Singapore Medical Journal'' 38 (8): 356–7.</ref>

The name ''koro'' is thought to be of Malay origin, and to refer to turtles (Malay ''kura'' or ''kura-kura''), and their ability to withdraw their necks and limbs within their shells.  This [[psychosomatic|somatoform disorder]]<ref>Katherine Phillips, et. al., [http://www.dsm5.org/research/documents/phillips_bdd.pdf Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Some Key Issues for DSM-V], ''Depression and Anxiety'' 27: 573-591</ref> is considered to be a form of [[mass hysteria]].  

It should not be confused with ''kuru'', which is a [[prion]] encephalopathy caused by human [[cannibalism]], and thus more easily avoided.

==External links==
*[http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/9/16/81843/6555 Koro: A Natural History of Penis Panics]
*[http://www.skepdic.com/koro.html Koro] from [[The Skeptic's Dictionary]]
*[http://h2g2.com/approved_entry/A593354 Koro - the Genital Retraction Syndrome], h2g2.com

==See also==
*''[[Malleus Maleficarum]]''

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Mental health]][[Category:Folklore]]
[[Category:Mental health woo]]
[[Category:Purity culture]]

Categories: Mental health, Folklore, Mental health woo, Purity culture