by Stacey Prince
This past weekend I traveled to Portland to attend the annual convention of Association for Women in Psychology. I haven’t been to this conference in 10 years, and I loved it—it’s such a shot in the arm of inspiration and connection, simultaneously stimulating and exhausting. Shortly after arriving on Friday I presented a paper on being a psychologist-activist and integrating advocacy into psychotherapy. My co- presenters focused on building resiliency among individuals faced with negative decisions regarding LGBT rights, and the impact of such decisions on our straight allies and family members.
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Monday, February 15, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Running Amok
by Stacey Prince
A disturbing article appeared in the New York Times in January. Entitled The Americanization of Mental Illness and written by Ethan Watters, the article outlines an aspect of American-led globalization that is especially relevant to TJP. He explains how mental illness is much more culturally influenced than the scientific community would like to admit, and how, in recent years, the American version of mental illness has begun to impact not only diagnostic practices but actual symptom expression in cultures where formerly indigenous forms of illness and healing existed.
Watters begins by citing research amassed by anthropologists and cross-cultural psychiatrists indicating that mental illnesses have not been consistent over time and place but instead are very much influenced by the culture in which they occur. A classic example that many of us have heard of is amok, a phenomenon seen in which individuals suffer "murderous rage followed by amnesia". This condition is seen solely in cultures in Southeast Asia. Similarly, hysterical leg paralysis, a form of what would now be called conversion disorder, existed among thousands of women in the late 19th century, and (the author notes) seemed to be a poignant expression of the restrictions set on women's social roles during that time.
To read entire article click here.
A disturbing article appeared in the New York Times in January. Entitled The Americanization of Mental Illness and written by Ethan Watters, the article outlines an aspect of American-led globalization that is especially relevant to TJP. He explains how mental illness is much more culturally influenced than the scientific community would like to admit, and how, in recent years, the American version of mental illness has begun to impact not only diagnostic practices but actual symptom expression in cultures where formerly indigenous forms of illness and healing existed.
Watters begins by citing research amassed by anthropologists and cross-cultural psychiatrists indicating that mental illnesses have not been consistent over time and place but instead are very much influenced by the culture in which they occur. A classic example that many of us have heard of is amok, a phenomenon seen in which individuals suffer "murderous rage followed by amnesia". This condition is seen solely in cultures in Southeast Asia. Similarly, hysterical leg paralysis, a form of what would now be called conversion disorder, existed among thousands of women in the late 19th century, and (the author notes) seemed to be a poignant expression of the restrictions set on women's social roles during that time.
To read entire article click here.
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