APA Dictionary of Psychology

n. a culture-bound syndrome prevalent in Japan, with symptoms that include obsessions, perfectionism, ambivalence, social withdrawal, physical and mental fatigue, hypersensitivity, and hypochondriasis. Japanese psychiatrist Shoma Morita (1874–1938), a pioneer in the study of shinkeishitsu, postulated that there is a shinkeishitsu-prone innate temperament, which he called “hypochondriacal temperament.” According to Morita, people born with this temperament are overly sensitive, self-reflective, and notice even minimal changes in their mental and physical states. This disorder is also prevalent in China, where it is known as shenjing shuairuo. See also Morita therapy.