Wendigo Psychosis: Culture And Psychology

Human cannibalism is a topic that may not be touched on outside of fictional media and certain criminal cases. Though urges or desires to consume human flesh are considered cultural taboos in many countries worldwide, there have been a number of reported cases throughout history. For example, the phenomenon of windigo psychosis can cause cannibalistic urges. 

Wendigo psychosis is a psychiatric disorder observed among certain Native American communities. This culture-bound syndrome is characterized by psychotic symptoms and cannibalistic urges. To understand this condition, it may be helpful to explore the origins of the wendigo and how cultural beliefs and environmental factors can influence symptoms of mental illness. 

Gain more insight into psychosis symptoms

Connect with a therapist

What is a wendigo?

As the wendigo's insatiable appetite mirrors extreme gluttony, the windigo legend is often used as a cautionary tale, warning against the dangers of greed and excess. In some versions of the legend, humans can become wendigos themselves if they resort to cannibalism or are possessed by the spirit of the windigo due to their own greed and malevolence. 

In some indigenous folklore, the wendigo serves to represent isolation and selfishness, emphasizing the importance of community. While creatures like vampires and werewolves have long dominated European folklore, the wendigo has only recently gained attention in Western popular culture.

What is a culture-bound syndrome?

According to the American Psychological Association  (APA), a culture-bound syndrome is “a pattern of mental illness, distress, and symptoms unique to a specific ethnic or cultural population that does not conform to standard classifications of psychiatric disorders.” These conditions may also be referred to as culture-specific syndromes or cultural concepts of distress. They are not listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). Reach out to a mental health professional for a psychiatric evaluation if you believe you are experiencing a mental illness. 

These psychiatric “disorders” often cause unique symptoms or presentations that reflect the beliefs, values, and social structures of the culture in which they occur. They can encompass a wide range of conditions, from physical ailments to psychological disorders, and are often deeply intertwined with cultural norms, practices, and interpretations of health and illness. 

Culture-bound syndrome examples

Along with windigo psychosis, other examples of culture-bound syndromes include: 

• Susto (Latin America): Susto is a condition characterized by symptoms like a loss of appetite, sleep disturbances, and weakness, believed to be caused by a frightening or traumatic experience.
• Koro (Southeast Asia): Koro is the fear that one's genitals are retracting into the body, often associated with a sense of impending death.
• Taijin Kyofusho (Japan): Taijin Kyofusho is the fear of offending or harming others through one's social awkwardness or perceived physical flaws.
• Amok (Southeast Asia): Amok is a sudden outburst of violent or homicidal behavior, often followed by amnesia or a period of confusion.

Understanding wendigo psychosis

Though a fair amount of research has been done regarding windigo psychosis and cannibalism, these topics remain complex, demanding a multidisciplinary approach to examine their cultural, psychological, and societal dimensions respectfully.

Symptoms of wendigo psychosis

Windigo psychosis causes individuals to believe they are being influenced by or turning into a wendigo, typically after periods of starvation. Based on Algonquian folklore, as well as certain research, symptoms of windigo psychosis include the following:

• Paranoia: A pervasive sense of fear or suspicion, often accompanied by beliefs of being pursued or threatened
• Anxiety: Intense apprehension or unease, sometimes manifesting as panic attacks
• Hallucinations: Sensory perceptions (visual, auditory, tactile) that are not based in reality, often involving terrifying or grotesque imagery
• Cannibalistic urges: Strong desires or impulses to consume human flesh, often driven by delusions or cultural beliefs
• Agitation: Restlessness, irritability, or heightened arousal, leading to difficulty in maintaining calm or focus
• Insomnia: Persistent difficulty falling or staying asleep, resulting in fatigue and impaired functioning during waking hours
• Depression: Feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair, sometimes accompanied by changes in appetite or energy levels
• Delusions: Strongly held false beliefs or ideas despite evidence to the contrary, often related to themes of cannibalism or supernatural possession
• Social withdrawal: Avoidance of social interaction or isolation from others stemming from alienation or perceived threats
• Violence: Aggressive or violent behavior toward oneself or others stemming from the belief in the supernatural transformation into a cannibalistic monster
• Impaired judgment: Difficulty in distinguishing reality from delusion, leading to irrational decision-making or risky behaviors
• Self-harm: Inflicting injury upon oneself, either intentionally or as a result of hallucinations, internal distress, or delusions
• Dissociation: A disconnect from one's thoughts, feelings, or identity, often as a coping mechanism for overwhelming emotions or experiences

What causes wendigo psychosis? 

Experts suggest this form of psychosis often arises from a blend of cultural narratives, psychological vulnerabilities, and specific environmental stressors faced by the Algonquian people. While history records indicated increased instances of Wendigo psychosis and cannibalism during periods of extreme scarcity, it can also occur outside of famine contexts.

One research paper examined windigo psychosis, the anatomy of cannibalism, and mental health in diverse forms across cultures, from ritualistic to survival-driven forms. This study suggests the possibility of windigo psychosis manifesting as a disordered psychological defense mechanism used to cope with the cultural taboo of cannibalism. 

However, cannibalism is not solely linked to mental illness. It can also result from factors like substance use, environmental upbringing, and survival instincts in response to trauma. For instance, a 1982 study titled “Windigo Psychosis: The Anatomy of an Emic-Etic Confusion” proposes that windigo psychosis might not actually be a mental illness. 

Instead, during times of famine, people might have been accused of cannibalism or theft from the community. In some cases, individuals may have been executed for these actions as a form of “triage homicide” or as part of “witch hunts,” which are common when societies are stressed. Though the current prevalence of windigo psychosis is largely unclear, certain sources report an estimated 70 cases during the 1960s. 

Treatment for wendigo psychosis

Treatment for certain types of psychosis, including those associated with enduring mental health conditions like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, often includes pharmacotherapy, such as antipsychotic medication, in addition to non-pharmacological interventions like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). However, it can be challenging to reach in-person support for mental health conditions if one is experiencing barriers like financial challenges or inaccessibility. In these cases, online therapy platforms like BetterHelp may be more convenient. 

Online therapy can provide affordability and flexibility for individuals experiencing psychosis symptoms. Although online therapy may not directly address severe cases of psychosis, such as culture-bound syndromes like windigo psychosis, research suggests that online CBT can be highly effective in managing related symptoms such as anxiety and depression. 

Studies show that online therapy may be effective in supporting individuals with psychosis and psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. One study, published in 2015 in HHS Public Access, found that individuals with schizophrenia who tried an online intervention group with their family members had lower perceived stress and a higher perceived level of social support after three months of treatment.