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What are some other cultural conceptions on mental illness?
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Default What are some other cultural conceptions on mental illness? - 12-28-2008, 07:40 AM

Because the categorization of mental illness is based on social conceptions of human behaviour, I'm interested to know how mental illness perceved in other (non western) countries/cultures.I would like people to share any info or personal experience on the treatment and perception on what are considered mental disorders and how they differ from western psychiatry. I think with growing multi culturalism its interesting to know.Also what are some different spiritual/cultural ideas behind the treatment of disorders like psychosis, mania, personality disorders and depression?
   
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Default 01-09-2009, 12:41 AM

From the asian side of my family, I've been accused of everything from black magic to not praying enough. Being the subject of the'evil-eye'by making people jealous of the extraordinary good looks and talent that I do not possess - in countries like India and Pakistan, psychotic patients are locked up and often visited like zoo attractions by psychology students which is really great for projects I'm sure but not very considerate of their rights as people. There is much stigma in families - with many hiding their kids and not admitting it to other members of the family. Some take the punishment as God-sent, others turn to God rather than medical attention and some even refuse to believe there is such a thing as mental illness.In Japan, only a quarter of the cases of Bipolar Disorder are diagnosed because in their language, the word for Bipolar Disorder translates as'disease of the disorganized mind', and within their cultural framework that is very bad and so doctors are even afraid to pass the diagnosis.Things are not so rosy here in the UK either, I moved here 4 years ago from Pakistan because at least being buried under this facade of protective laws and forced effort to not discriminate gives one the illusion that they're not such social outcasts.Otherwise, it holds true throughout the world - people fear what they do not understand.
   
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Default 01-09-2009, 02:29 AM

well i live in singapore, a country that's a little off the Malay Peninsula, with a chinese majority.given my personal experience of visiting friends in the psychiatric ward&also seeing how people act towards these people - i would say that asians, on a whole, prefer to evade, avoid and ignore the issue rather face it head on. to admit to mental illness is a"shame", not just shame for you, but also shame to your entire family - the common saying we have here is"lose face".you could say that, with the western influence of the"skinny"culture, eating disorders e.g. anorexia, bulimia, or a combination are somewhat trendy among the young - 13 to 16 year olds, especially when they seek approval from their peers. moreover, such eating disorders are commonly seen in Co-Cirricular Activities (activities after school e.g. clubs) such as dance, cheer-leading etc.
   
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