Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that causes a person to lose touch with reality. Symptoms would often include hallucinations, delusions, depression, and abnormal speech and behaviour. But did you know that a person with schizophrenia can behave and think differently depending on the culture they’re in?
A woman hallucinating. Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ill_dict_infernal_p0333-317_hallucination.jpg
In America, people with schizophrenia would often hear voices that are rather harsh and violent. These voices would often say something that would insult the person or tell them to do something violent or inappropriate. This can lead to depression, suicidal tendencies, and also violent tendencies.
However, the voices that Africans and Indians hear are considered to be benign. According to studies, Africans and Indians would often hear voices that would encourage them or voices that were rather playful in nature. The voices can also be thought of as a companion for them.
The difference between how schizophrenia appears in people of a different culture is most likely to be caused by the societal values of the culture and also how different cultures portray schizophrenia.
In America, schizophrenia is seen as a mental illness that causes a person to lose themselves. The person would lose their individuality and their sense of self. The voices as thus are seen as an intrusion which would then create a conflict between the person and the voices. As a result of the rising conflict between the “voices” in the person’s head, the voices would begin to become violent and uncontrollable.
Meanwhile, Eastern and African cultures have a more collectivist view. This shaped their auditory hallucination in a way that allowed them to hear voices from their relatives or friends that have passed away. They think of the voices as a form of their close ones trying to help and guide their life and some even think of it in a religious context, where God is trying to talk to them and guide them. This allowed them to make peace with the voices and think of the voices as companions.
Angel talking to a man. Image from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Dream_of_Saint_Joseph.jpg
The comparisons between how cultures affect schizophrenia could allow for improved or new treatments for schizophrenic patients.
Gloria Chan
