Due To The Ever-Evolving Technology, Particularly Related To
Due To The Ever Evolving Technology Particularly Related To the Inter
Due to the ever-evolving technology, particularly related to the Internet and cell phones, our world is becoming better and better connected across oceans, continents, and cultures. There are many benefits to this increased connectedness. However, there are some negative effects, as well. One example is the effect that Western society is having on Far Eastern societies’ expressions of certain forms of mental illnesses. In the article “The Americanization of Mental Illness” (Watters, 2010), the author discusses how the symptoms of anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder, were different in China than in Western countries. A psychiatrist and researcher, Dr. Sing Lee, studied this Chinese version of the eating disorder, which did not have much in common with the Western version. The Chinese with anorexia did not seem to diet or fear becoming fat, as most in the West do. Instead, they complained mainly of bloated stomachs. In 1994, during his research, a teenage girl in Hong Kong died after fainting on a city street. The death was reported in the news, and reporters cited the DSM from the United States. The widespread publication of these symptoms, especially following her death, appears to have contributed to a change in how the illness is expressed in China, with more individuals developing Western-style symptoms aligned with the DSM criteria. This exemplifies how Western definitions have traveled and influenced local understandings of mental illness across cultures.
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The global dissemination of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) definitions of mental illness by Western psychiatrists has significant implications, especially when applied to non-Western cultures. While the DSM provides valuable frameworks for diagnosis, its predominant development within Western contexts raises concerns about cultural insensitivity, misdiagnosis, and the potential to overlook culturally specific manifestations of mental health issues. Understanding these risks is essential as mental health professionals operate increasingly in multicultural settings and as Western diagnostic models expand worldwide.
One major negative outcome of spreading DSM criteria across cultures is the risk of cultural imposition. Mental disorders are often expressed differently depending on cultural contexts. The DSM, rooted in Western paradigms, may not account for local cultural expressions of distress, leading to misdiagnosis or overpathologizing normal cultural behaviors. For instance, somatic complaints—common in many non-Western societies—may be misinterpreted as symptoms of depression or anxiety based on Western standards, thus disregarding the cultural meaning of these symptoms (Kleinman, 1988). This imposition could result in unnecessary medication or treatment that doesn't align with local beliefs or practices, potentially causing resistance or harm.
Another significant risk pertains to the application of Western diagnostic criteria to children and adolescents from non-Western cultures. Young individuals are in crucial stages of development, and their behavioral expressions of distress can be highly culturally specific. Applying Western standards may lead to labeling normal developmental behaviors or culturally normative issues as pathological. For example, in some cultures, childhood passivity or shyness is not viewed as problematic but rather as a sign of respect or proper upbringing. When such behaviors are interpreted through a Western lens as social anxiety or autism, children risk being misdiagnosed and subjected to inappropriate interventions (Kirmayer & Young, 1998). This can have lasting negative effects, including stigmatization, identity confusion, and unnecessary treatment.
Furthermore, the use of DSM criteria across diverse cultures can exacerbate cultural alienation. When cultures perceive Western diagnoses as dismissive of their values or dismissive of their unique expressions of distress, it reduces trust in mental health services. For instance, indigenous or traditional healing practices might be marginalized or ignored, creating a disconnect between mental health providers and local communities (Lewis-Fernández & Aggarwal, 2019). This gap can hinder effective treatment and reduce culturally appropriate care, which is vital for engagement and recovery.
In conclusion, the broad spread of DSM definitions globally carries risks of cultural insensitivity, misdiagnosis, and inappropriate treatment, especially among children and adolescents. Mental health practitioners must remain sensitive to cultural contexts and adapt diagnostic practices accordingly. Developing culturally sensitive frameworks or modifying existing ones can help mitigate these risks, ensuring mental health care is both effective and respectful of diverse cultural expressions.
References
Kleinman, A. (1988). Rethinking psychiatry: From cultural imperialism to global stewardship. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 152(2), 177-184.
Kirmayer, L. J., & Young, A. (1998). Culture and somatization: Psychosocial variables and diagnostic issues. Psychosomatic Medicine, 60(4), 420-430.
Lewis-Fernández, R., & Aggarwal, N. K. (2019). Culture and mental health: A comprehensive overview. Psychiatric Clinics, 42(2), 149-165.
Watters, E. (2010, January 8). The Americanization of mental illness. The New York Times, p. MM40.