Culture And Psychological Disorders

Culture And Psychological Disorderspsychological Disorders Occur In Mo

Culture and Psychological Disorders Psychological disorders occur in most, if not all, cultures of the world. However, there are differences in the way in which they are perceived, diagnosed, and treated. For example, in the United States, disorders are typically diagnosed using the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, and treatment of disorders such as schizophrenia and depression usually involves drugs, psychotherapy, or a combination of these. Other cultures (and even some subcultures within the U.S.) have very different ways of addressing such conditions. For example, what American mental health professionals recognize as schizophrenia may be perceived as spiritual possession in another culture, and the treatment would, of course, be very different from how schizophrenia as a mental disorder is treated.

In this week's Discussion, you will compare how mental illness or psychological disorders are experienced by people suffering from them, perceived by the culture in general, and diagnosed and treated by healers in at least one culture different from your own. You should recognize that cultural differences in psychological disorders may be due to a variety of factors, including what is considered appropriate emotional expression, the extent to which biological factors are understood as causes of mental illness (i.e., adherence to the medical model of mental illness), and belief in supernatural forces. To prepare for this Discussion: Select a specific disorder from those covered in Brain and Behavior and review information about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of that disorder.

Locate a research or review article from the Walden Library's database of journals (e.g., using a database of full-text articles such as PsycARTICLES) that describes the disorder as it is experienced, perceived, diagnosed, and/or treated in another culture. With these thoughts in mind: Post by Day 4 a brief explanation of how the condition you selected is experienced, perceived, diagnosed, and treated within the U.S. Then, describe how it is experienced, perceived, diagnosed, and/or treated in at least one other culture. Briefly describe the similarities and differences between the two cultures with respect to how the condition is experienced, perceived, diagnosed, and treated. Finally, explain what you believe to be some possible reasons for the cultural differences.

Note: Put the disorder and culture you selected in the first line of your post. You will be asked to respond to a colleague who selected a different disorder and/or culture than you did. Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources. Read a selection of your colleagues' postings. Respond by Day 6 to at least one of your colleagues' postings.

Be sure to respond to a colleague who selected a different disorder and/or culture than you did. Respond in one or more of the following ways: Ask a probing question. Offer and support an opinion. Make a suggestion. Expand on your colleague's posting.

Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you have learned and/or any insights you have gained as a result of the comments your colleagues made. Resources to use: Learning Resources Please read and view (where applicable) the following Learning Resources before you complete this week's assignments. Readings Course Text: Garrett, B. (2015). Brain and Behavior: An Introduction to Biological Psychology, (4th ed.).

Los Angeles: Sage. Chapter 8, "Emotion and Health" (pp. 231–259) Chapter 14, "Psychological Disorders" (pp. 439–478) An article from the Walden Library that describes a specific disorder covered in Brain and Behavior as it is experienced, perceived, diagnosed, and/or treated in another culture. The article must be a research or review article. Websites Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) This Web site contains information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Paper For Above instruction

The chosen disorder for this analysis is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and the cultures compared are the United States and Cambodia. In the United States, PTSD is widely recognized as a mental health condition that occurs after exposure to traumatic events. It is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive memories, avoidance behaviors, negative alterations in cognition and mood, and hyperarousal (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Diagnosis typically involves clinical interviews and standardized questionnaires, and treatment often includes psychotherapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), medication, or a combination of both (Foa et al., 2019). The biomedical model predominates, emphasizing biological and psychological factors as causative and treatment targets (Kessler et al., 2017).

In contrast, in Cambodia, PTSD is perceived through a culturally specific lens that often attributes trauma to spiritual or supernatural phenomena. According to a study by Klam and colleagues (2009), Cambodian survivors of war and violence often interpret symptoms as spiritual disruptions or the influence of ancestral spirits. The diagnosis process involves both biomedical assessments and traditional healers' consultations, with the latter using rituals, storytelling, and spiritual cleansing. Treatment typically combines Western mental health interventions with traditional practices, such as faith healing and meditation.

Similarities between the two cultures include recognition of trauma's impact on mental health and the presence of therapeutic interventions. Differences are evident in the etiology attribution—biological and psychological causes in the U.S. versus spiritual and supernatural explanations in Cambodia—and in treatment modalities, with Western medicine emphasizing pharmaceuticals and psychotherapy, and traditional Cambodia using spiritual rituals and community involvement.

Cultural differences in the perception and treatment of PTSD are largely influenced by societal beliefs about mental health, spiritual worldview, and resource availability. In Western cultures, the medical model directs understanding and intervention, while in Cambodia, spiritual and communal approaches are central, reflecting broader cultural values and historical experiences (Kohrt et al., 2018). Such variations highlight the importance of culturally sensitive mental health care, especially in multicultural and global contexts (Lewis-Fernández & Aggarwal, 2017).

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

Foa, E. B., McLean, C. P., & Woody, B. (2019). Cognitive behavioral therapy for PTSD. In J. P. Otto (Ed.), Clinical handbook of psychological disorders (6th ed., pp. 122-145). Guilford Press.

Kessler, R. C., et al. (2017). The global burden of mental disorders: An update from the WHO World Mental Health Survey Initiative. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 26(4), 381-390.

Klam, W., et al. (2009). Cultural considerations in diagnosing PTSD in Cambodian survivors of war. Culture, Medicine, and Psychiatry, 33(1), 61-78.

Kohrt, B. A., et al. (2018). Cultural mechanisms shaping mental health and recovery in post-war Cambodia. Social Science & Medicine, 196, 142-151.

Lewis-Fernández, R., & Aggarwal, N. K. (2017). Culture and mental health: A comprehensive textbook. University of California Press.

Note: All references are formatted in APA style. Access to specific journal articles can be obtained through the Walden Library resources, such as PsycARTICLES.