APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a culture-bound syndrome observed primarily in males in China and southeast Asia. It is an acute anxiety reaction in which the male suddenly fears that his penis is shrinking and will disappear into his abdomen, bringing death. (In females, the fear is focused on the vulva and nipples.) Individuals may also experience shame if they associate the fear with immoral sexual behavior. Also called jinjinia bemar; rok-joo; shook yong; shuk yang; suk-yeong; suo yang.