Culture\u27s Influence on Mental Illness

This thesis examines the affect of culture on the symptomology, etiology, beliefs about casuality, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Mentally ill persons (MIP) are the only individuals who\u27s illness is defined by cultural and social norms. The persistent violation of these norms is the basis for the diagnosis of mental illness. This study seeks to explain the variation that culture creates in the manifestation of mental illness. The diagnostic categories of appearance and behavior, speech and thought patter, thought content, cognition, mood and affect and judgment and insight are analyzed utilizing an cultural standpoint. The typical diagnosis of patients is based on these specific categories therefore if culture can be demonstrated to effect each this would warrant the inclusion of culture in diagnostic processes