Presentation
Method: Previous literatures on brain fag syndrome were carefully reviewed and related to the syndrome presentations in the presently reported cases. [njmonline.org]
Respondents were presented with a vignette (Box 1) describing classic brain fag features in a student. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Entire Body System
- Fatigue
Thus, this lack of energy caused brain fatigue while trying to cope with the acculturation and the shift from childhood to the complexity of western education. [anthropology.msu.edu]
Mental fatigue associated with somatic sensations has been reported since the ancient Greek era. [tandfonline.com]
[…] a culture-bound syndrome caused by excessive pressure to be successful among the young.[3] Etymology[edit] The term 'brain fag' presumably stems from the verb meaning of the word, "To cause (a person, animal, or part of the body) to become tired; to fatigue [en.wikipedia.org]
- Pain
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain. [dbpedia.org]
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain.[1] Brain Fag is very common in adolescents and young adults [en.wikipedia.org]
Other symptoms include pain and pressure around the head and neck, and blurring of vision.It is now a common term for mental exhaustion. [definitions.net]
- Rigor
Ayonrinde concludes that, the time has come for the decolonization of brain fag and its African syndromization in the true spirit of ethical scientific rigor in the twenty-first century.[6] See also[edit] Burnout Exhaustion References[edit] ^ a b c d [en.wikipedia.org]
Regardless of the point of view, a common area of agreement among most researchers is that considerably more research is required to understand the phenomenon; such rigorous research remains lacking to date. [tandfonline.com]
Cardiovascular
- Heart Disease
[The relationship between depression, anxiety and heart disease - a psychosomatic challenge]. Kapfhammer HP. Kapfhammer HP. Psychiatr Danub. 2011 Dec;23(4):412-24. Psychiatr Danub. 2011. PMID: 22075746 Review. German. [pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
Musculoskeletal
- Neck Pain
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain. [dbpedia.org]
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain.[1] Brain Fag is very common in adolescents and young adults [en.wikipedia.org]
pains, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, and eye pain.[1] It is caused by excessive external pressure to be successful among the young.[3] Classification BFS is classified in the fourth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical [wikidoc.org]
Eyes
- Eye Pain
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain. [dbpedia.org]
Brain fag syndrome (BFS) describes a set of symptoms; somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, head and or neck pains, and eye pain.[1] Brain Fag is very common in adolescents and young adults [en.wikipedia.org]
difficulty in concentrating and retaining information, and eye pain.[1] It is caused by excessive external pressure to be successful among the young.[3] Classification BFS is classified in the fourth revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [wikidoc.org]
Psychiatrical
- Anxiety Disorder
The preoccupation is not better accounted for by generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive- compulsive disorder, panic disorder, a major depressive episode, separation anxiety, or another somatoform disorder. Specify if: With poor insight: if, for most [fr.slideshare.net]
A possible aetiology may be the "cultural clash" between African and Western societies.[6] Brain fag is generally considered to be a depressive disorder, possibly linked with anxiety disorders.[7] References ^ Katona, C & Robertson, M. (2005, 3rd ed.) [bionity.com]
[…] and treatment of West African cultural presentations of affective, psychotic and anxiety disorders. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Delusion
The condition is limited to Western males, who suffer the delusion that they are insufficiently ripped. [slate.com]
Grisi Siknis (Crazy Sickness) For over two hundred years, the Miskito people of Central America have endured periodic outbreaks of a mysterious illness causing delusions, convulsions and in some cases coma. [joecontent.net]
The diagnostic criteria also stipulate that the belief cannot have the intensity of a delusion (more appropriately diagnosed as delusional disorder) and cannot be restricted to distress about appearance (more appropriately diagnosed as body dysmorphic [fr.slideshare.net]
Neurologic
- Difficulty Concentrating
Seen predominantly in male students, it generally manifests as vague somatic symptoms, depression, and difficulty concentrating.[1] It has similar symptoms to the Trinidadian illness studiation madness. [bionity.com]
It is seen predominantly in male students with symptoms such as depression, difficulty concentrating, remembering, and thinking. [definitions.net]
Psychoactive substance use and their effects such as impaired concentration and sleep difficulties and somatic effects may also easily mimic the brain fag symptoms. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
- Headache
It was first discovered in Nigeria, describing students with symptoms including somatic, sleep-related and cognitive complaints, headache, neck pain, difficulties in concentration and memorization, and the pain in his eyes. [amp.en.google-info.in]
With eyes watering from the glaring screen, you are battling to withstand a headache the force of a nuclear bomb whilst you do your best to type, type anything, any words at all. [the-gist.org]
In a short time, headache came on, and I was compelled to apply to my medical attendant, who cupped me on the neck, applied blisters, and ordered me to live sparingly. I became weaker and weaker’. [tandfonline.com]
- Irritability
He takes cold, suffers from congestion of the lungs or kidneys, and, unable to bear the shock, sinks rapidly under it, his mind becoming intensely irritable, or even losing its balance. [tandfonline.com]
Treatment
Treatment modalities Patients with hypochondriasis usually resist psychiatric treatment, although some accept this treatment if it takes place in a medical setting and focuses on stress reduction and education in coping with chronic illness. [fr.slideshare.net]
Anumonye reported treatment success with lorazepam; others found benefit with antidepressants and relaxation exercises.[1] Epidemiology BFS has been reported in other African cultures,[1] and also in Brazil, Argentina, and Ethiopian Jews.[1] Historic [wikidoc.org]
Morakinyo found in 20 people with BFS an achievement drive that was anxiety-related that led to the use of psychostimulants and consequent sleep deprivation which contributed to cognitive disruption.[1] Omoluabi related BFS to test anxiety.[1] Treatment [en.wikipedia.org]
Etiology
Various etiological hypotheses ranging from the intrapsychic to the societal are discussed, including the suggestion that brain fag may not just be a disease entity of its own, but could be a kind of defense mechanism that prevents individuals from full [oxfordclinicalpsych.com]
Etiological factors such as nervous predisposition, motivation for achievement, and psycho-stimulant use have been found associated with it. [emerald.com]
Morakinyo proposed the psycho-physiological theory to further elaborate on the etiology and clinical presentation of this syndrome [5]. [hoajonline.com]
Etiological factors such as nervous predisposition, motivation for achievement, and psychostimulant use have been found associated with it. [cyberleninka.org]
The Psychophysiological Theory identifies the use of stimulants as an etiological basis for the development of BFS; however, few researchers have linked BFS with stimulants use. [njcponline.com]
Epidemiology
Vankar Medicine, Psychology Indian journal of psychiatry 1994 Using a standard epidemiological survey instrument for psychoactive drug use, 215 medical students in three classes were studied, finding that cigarette and benzodiazepine use mostly began [semanticscholar.org]
OUTLINE Brain Fag Syndrome Introduction Diagnostic Criteria Epidemiology Treatment Hypochondriasis Introduction Epidemiology Diagnostic Criteria Examination Treatment Conversion Disorder Introduction Diagnostic Criteria Common [fr.slideshare.net]
The existence of BFS is evidenced by case as well as epidemiological reports of the condition in different locations. However, its course, response to treatment and outcome deserve more attention than has been given. [journals.co.za]
[…] related BFS to test anxiety.[1] Treatment[edit] 19th-century American trade card, listing a cure for "brain fag" among other things Anumonye reported treatment success with lorazepam; others found benefit with antidepressants and relaxation exercises.[1] Epidemiology [en.wikipedia.org]
Pathophysiology
In fact, mental disorders in schools and colleges believed to be consequential to ‘overstudy’ subsequently became aetiological, psychopathological and pathophysiological grounds for asylum admissions. [tandfonline.com]
Prevention
[…] hypothesis is presented that the syndrome is in some way related to the imposition of European learning techniques upon the Nigerian personality and it is suggested that an emphasis upon group learning and examination techniques might be of value as preventive [semanticscholar.org]
Various etiological hypotheses ranging from the intrapsychic to the societal are discussed, including the suggestion that brain fag may not just be a disease entity of its own, but could be a kind of defense mechanism that prevents individuals from full [oxfordclinicalpsych.com]
There appears to be a feedback mechanism built into mirror neurons that prevents us from mindlessly repeating every action we see. [joecontent.net]
Intemperance (excessive indulgence) in study and educational pursuit was opined as a preventable cause of insanity. [tandfonline.com]