CHIYAMAI, A PANIC-LIKE DISORDER IN WOMAN DIVERS FROM HEGURA ISLAND

In Hegura Island, Japan, we have recently found female divers who suff er from a disorder called 'Chiyamai'. From interviews, questionnaires and temporarily proposed diagnostic criteria for Chiyamai, nine casts from 44 female divers interviewed, were diagnosed as having Chiyamai. Clinically, Chiyamai is characterized by a panic-like attack. Ten symp toms were observed during a panic-like attack, compared with 13 sympto ms in a panic attack described in che DSM-IV. The average age at onset was 30 years and the average duration of illness was approximately 26 years. Several cases were so severe that the patients ic ere unable t o continue diving. Additionally, we report a typical case of Chiyamai, and discussed the similarities and differences between Chiyamai and a nxiety disorders in the DSM-IV. We suggest that Chiyamai is a panic-li ke disorder specific to female divers from Hegura Island and that it i s a result of heavy diving.