Literally "fright or sudden fear" in spanish. It is a kind of personalistic illness found among some latinos in the united states and parts of latin america. The presumed cause is the loss of one's soul due to incidents that have a destabilizing effect on an individual (e. G. , being thrown from a horse, having a nighttime encounter with a ghost, or being in a social situation that causes fear or anger). Typical symptoms of susto are restlessness during sleep as well as being listless and weak when awake, lack an appetite, and little interest in one's own personal appearance. Susto is also known as perdida de la sombra (literally "loss of the shadow" in spanish).