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Mental/Emotional Health – Addressing Conditions in Diverse Cultures
Culture is central to all communities. As further studies on the impact of culture on an individual, one fundamental aspect of culture that raises concerns is the impact of culture on mental health. Over the years, scientists have discovered that there are several psychiatric illnesses associated with culture among various communities across the world (Lewis-Fernández and López 15). For instance, Ataque de nervios affects the Latino community. Understanding the classification of culturally bound syndromes is important in the diagnosis and treatment of culture-related psychological conditions.
Ataque de nervois is mostly common in Spanish speaking communities from the USA and Caribbean. In English, it is known as the attack of the nerves. Nervois has measured anxiety levels. Some of the symptoms associated with the condition include increased physical aggression levels, increased strengths, increased sensitiveness to heat in the chest and the head, dissociative experiences, increased verbal aggressiveness, and uncontrolled shouting, crying, lamentation (Lewis-Fernández and López 242). These reactions are associated with the occurrence of a stressful event, especially within the family setting.
Ataque de nervois is classified as a cultural bound syndrome under DSM 4 while under DSM 5, it also falls under cultural bound syndrome. However, DSM 4 offers no specification where Ataque de nervois falls under specification recurrent, locally specific pattern of aberrant behavior in DSM 5 (Lewis-Fernández and López 247). The further specification id DSM 5 arises from considerations of cultural differences in clinical practices that allow for the creation of criteria determined by culture.
Ataque de nervois is wrongly misdiagnosed as a panic attack. Therefore, requiring a concerted effort in diagnosis. However, in some instances, clinicians diagnose other behavioral conditions among Spanish communities as Ataque de nervois due to major similarities in symptoms between the condition and other personality disorders. However, understanding of the classification is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of any cultural bound condition.
Work Cited
Lewis-Fernández, Roberto, and Irene López. “Ataques de Nervios.” Sharpless, Brian A. Unusual and Rare Psychological Disorders: A Handbook for Clinical Practice and Research. Oxford University Press, 2017. 242-249. https://www.oxfordclinicalpsych.com/view/10.1093/med:psych/9780190245863.001.0001/med-9780190245863-chapter-17.