Brain fag syndrome: a culture-bound syndrome that may be approaching extinction.

Aims and method To explore the current salience of 'brain fag' as a nosological, diagnostic and clinical construct in modern West African psychiatry. A semi-structured questionnaire and vignette based on classical symptoms of brain fag syndrome were used to explore current knowledge, explanatory models and practice among Nigerian psychiatrists. Results Of 102 psychiatrists who responded, 98% recognised the term 'brain fag syndrome' and most recognised the scenario presented.