Hwaybyung

Hwabyung or Hwabyeong literally means “fire disease or anger disease”; this anger syndrome is a Korean culture bound syndrome which is said to affect middle-aged women who have low socio-economic status. The physical symptoms include sleeplessness, hot flashes (or cold), thoracic pressure, blurred vision, headache, and perceived abdominal mass. Others report experiencing dry mouth, palpitations, and anorexia. The psychological symptoms include sadness, feelings of guilt, being easily agitated and/or startled, feelings of impending doom, and frequent sighing. Those with hwabyung believe that their continued suppressed anger is causing the symptoms. This somatization disorder is triggered by stressors. In relation to this, some of those who claim to suffer from this disorder are victims of social maltreatment and poverty.