Falling-out

Falling-out is a culture-bound syndrome reported in Latin America and the Caribbean and usually brought on by stress. It is described as a cultural concept of distress, the term the fifth edition of the DSM uses in place of culture-bound syndrome, and it is treated in the source alongside the nervous attack known as ataque de nervios and with fainting. Reported symptoms include attacks or fits of crying, verbal or physical aggression, uncontrollable shouting, trembling and a feeling of heat rising through the body, and people who have repeated episodes can often feel one coming through lightheadedness, dizziness, unsteadiness and changes in vision. Episodes are usually linked to stress and family events such as divorce, the death of a loved one, or witnessing or experiencing trauma. Ataque de nervios has been treated as a panic or anxiety disorder with cognitive behavior therapy, which helps the person identify triggers and learn coping methods for use during an episode.