Author: Oneeka Khan

The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bangladeshi Women

“Complete desolation.” “Sheer humiliation.” “Life is bleak and meaningless.” These were the revelations of three depressed women I Interviewed under the clutches of societal flaws and stigmas in Bangladesh.

In order to understand the manifestation of mental illnesses in any type of setting, it is essential to understand the circumstances that shape an individual, with culture being a monumental precursor for poor mental health. Structural oppression, poverty, and homelessness are the leading causes of depression in Bangladesh (Selim, 2010). However, these are merely a catalyst for the mental disease; cultural processes encourage the development of psychopathology. The stigmatization of mental illnesses in the Bangladeshi community is an aspect of culture that constantly works hard to keep depression preserved. In fact, as a result of this constant stigma, many Bangladeshis are demonstrating somatization – an outward manifestation of mental illness, such as headaches and muscle pain, that have no identifiable physical cause. This phenomenon hints that there are much more serious and subconscious occurrences that are impeccable for the deterioration of one’s mental health, especially that of a woman’s. Continue reading The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bangladeshi Women

The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bangladeshi American Women

 Mental illnesses in Bangladeshi American women are caused by the economic and social stresses such as poverty, discrimination, and restricted gender roles. In this culture, there is a strong stigma regarding mental illness that often causes the defamation and rejection of patients and their family members. These ailments affect women the most due to the nature of their dependence and inferiority towards men. As a result of this stigma, there is an inability to confide in doctors for fear of being seen as weak. In this paper I will suggest that Bangladeshi American women subconsciously turn their mental illness into physical symptoms such as pain, aches, fatigue, dizziness, etc. as a way of coping with their mental health. Considering the fact that these somatic manifestations often do not have a discernible source, somatization of mental illnesses gives women the opportunity to seek treatment without the added concern of being stigmatized.

         In addition to researching the relationship between physical and mental pain in immigrant communities, I will interview four Bangladeshi American women with questions regarding their view of mental illnesses, such as depression, and how they perceive and categorize the different stressors that they are exposed to. Behaviors that are considered somatization in the interviews will be highlighted and analyzed.

           In order to help alleviate the physical pain that stands in for underlying mental health issues, reforms to educate the Bangladeshi community both in America and Bangladesh may diminish the stigma against mental illnesses as well as instill more trust in the medical system. An example of reform is convincing Bangladeshi women to partake in psychotherapy or even family therapy, which can alleviate household problems and combat fixated gender roles. By becoming more knowledgeable about mental illnesses and the role of the doctor, Bangladeshi women can take steps toward countering somatization.

The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bangladeshi American Women

             Mental illness in Bangladeshi American women are caused by the economic and social stresses that they face, such as poverty, discrimination, and restricted gender roles. In this culture, there is a strong stigma regarding mental illness that often causes the defamation and rejection of patients and their family members. These ailments affect women the most due to the nature of their dependence and inferiority towards men. As a result of this stigma, there is an inability to confide in doctors for fear of being seen as weak. It is therefore hypothesized that Bangladeshi American women subconsciously turn their mental illness into physical symptoms such as pain, aches, accelerated heart beat, fatigue, dizziness, etc. as a way of coping with their mental health. Considering the fact that these somatic manifestations often do not have a discernible source, somatization of mental illnesses gives women the opportunity to seek treatment without the added concern of being stigmatized.

          I will interview four Bangladeshi American women with questions inquiring about their view of mental illnesses, such as depression, and how they perceive and categorize the different stressors that they are exposed to. Behaviors that are considered somatization in the interviews will be highlighted and analyzed.

           In order to combat the issue of somatization when there are underlying mental health issues, reforms to educate the Bangladeshi community both in America and Bangladesh will aid in diminishing the stigma against mental illness as well as instill more trust in the medical system. Convincing Bangladeshi women to partake in psychotherapy or even family therapy can alleviate household problems and combat fixated gender roles. By becoming more knowledgeable about mental illnesses and the role of the doctor, Bangladeshi women can take steps toward countering somatization.

Sources

Articles:

Davey, Gareth, and Mahbuba Keya. “Stigmatisation Of People With Mental Illness In Bangladesh.” Mental Health Practice 13.3 (2009): 30-33. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.

Fikree, Fariyal F, and Omrana Pasha. “Role of Gender in Health Disparity: The South Asian Context.” BMJ : British Medical Journal 328.7443 (2004): 823–826. Print.

Hanley, Jane. “The Emotional Wellbeing of Bangladeshi Mothers during the Postnatal Period.” Community Practitioner 80.5 (2007): 34.Academic OneFile. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

Karasz, Alison et al. “‘Tension’ in South Asian Women: Developing a Measure of Common Mental Disorder Using Participatory Methods.” Progress in community health partnerships : research, education, and action 7.4 (2013): 429–441. PMC. Web. 28 Oct. 2016.

Lauber, Christoph, and Wulf Rössler. “Stigma Towards People With Mental Illness In Developing Countries In Asia.”International Review Of Psychiatry 19.2 (2007): 157-178. Academic Search Premier. Web. 23 Sept. 2016.

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/somatic-symptom-disorder/basics/definition/con-20124065

Parveen, Shahana et al. “It’s Not Only What You Say, It’s Also How You Say It: Communicating Nipah Virus Prevention Messages during an Outbreak in Bangladesh.” BMC Public Health 16 (2016): 726. PMC. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.

Rogers, Anne and David Pilgrim. A Sociology Of Mental Health And Illness. Maidenhead, Mcgraw-Hill Education, 2010, https://books.google.com/books?id=CVKLBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA64&lpg=PA64&dq=somatization+in+south+asian+women&source=bl&ots=vbC1EI1paT&sig=nHSo-lfYnJMxCAIJDeUKA16K5oM&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiSu_j2xfzPAhXBWD4KHfPODI8Q6AEIPjAE#v=onepage&q=somatization%20in%20south%20asian%20women&f=false

Selim, Nasima, “Cultural Dimensions of Depression in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study in Two Villages of of Matlab.” Journal of Health Population, and Nutrition 28.1 (2010): 95-106. Print

Personal Interviews: 4 Bangladeshi American Women

Professional Interviews: Psychologist

THE SOMATIZATION OF MENTAL ILLNESSES IN BANGLADESHI AMERICAN WOMEN

Medicine and culture are two perspectives that are often at odds when it comes to disease and illness. Medicine takes the perspective of natural and purely scientific causes while culture has its own set of solid beliefs that may not always align with these same principles. This project aims to explore this discrepancy between culture and medicine through the focus of immigrant women from Bangladesh. Mental illness in Bangladeshi American women are caused by the economic and social stresses that they face, such as poverty, discrimination, and severe gender roles. In this culture, there is a strong stigma regarding mental illness that often causes the defamation and rejection of patients and their family members. These ailments affect women the most due to the nature of their dependence and inferiority towards men. As a result of this stigma and an inability to confide in doctors for fear of being seen as weak, Bangladeshi women subconsciously turn their mental illness into physical symptoms without a tangible ailment as a way of coping and seeking help. Four Bangladeshi American women were interviewed with questions inquiring about their view of mental illnesses such as depression and how they categorize very stressful situations. Behaviors that were considered somatization in the interviews were particularly highlighted and analyzed. In order to combat the issue of somatization when there are underlying mental health issues, reforms to educate the Bangladeshi community both in America and Bangladesh will aid in diminishing the stigma against mental illness as well as instill more trust in the medical system. Convincing Bangladeshi women to partake in psychotherapy or even family therapy can alleviate household problems and combat fixated gender roles. By becoming more knowledgeable about mental illnesses and the role of the doctor, Bangladeshi women can take a step toward countering somatization once and for all.

 

The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bengali American Women

Course Title: The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bengali American Women

Course Description:

Medicine and culture are two perspectives that are often at odds when it comes to disease and illness. Medicine takes the perspective of every health-related anomaly having natural and purely scientific causes. This is essentially the basis for definitions, etiology, treatments and cures for any given disease. Culture, on the other hand, has its own set of solid beliefs that may not always align with these same principles. This discrepancy in beliefs often creates conflicts in the medical environment as it becomes very challenging for medicine and culture to understand each other and find a middle ground as to ensure quality care for both practices.

Continue reading The Somatization of Mental Illnesses in Bengali American Women

The Clash Between Medicine and the Bengali Culture

Course Title: The Clash Between Medicine and the Bengali Culture: A Look at the Perception and Treatment of Mental Illness in Bengalis.

Course Description:

Medicine and culture are two perspectives that are often at odds when it comes to disease and illness. Medicine takes the perspective of every health-related anomaly having natural and purely scientific causes. This is essentially the basis for definitions, etiology, treatments and cures for any given disease. Culture, on the other hand, has its own set of solid beliefs that may not always align with these same principles. This discrepancy in beliefs often creates conflicts in the medical environment as it becomes very challenging for medicine and culture to understand each other and find a middle ground as to ensure quality care for both practices. Continue reading The Clash Between Medicine and the Bengali Culture

Medicine as a Culture

Medicine as we (Western society) know it is a field where every illness and disease has a natural and purely scientific cause. We use this notion to find out the definitions, etiology, and possible treatments and cures for the disease. However, despite our perception of this as a fact, we are just one culture among the many that exist and each with their own perceptions of diseases and illness, many of which would appear completely nonsensical to western views. This discrepancy in beliefs often creates conflicts in the medical world as it becomes very challenging for one culture to understand another culture and find a middle ground so that both parties feel quality care is being given.
As a result, patients may not receive the best care and treatment due to miscommunications, incompliancy of patients towards medical instructions, and even unwillingness of medical professionals to hear their patients out completely. My research will focus on the manifestation of Bengali culture and beliefs in regards to medicine and how it is viewed by both western society and Bengali society. My aunt may be a prime example of someone who believes they are sick for no real illness, but as a product of her cultural beliefs. I want to explore how the beliefs in this particular culture develop conflicts in terms of health and wellbeing and the root causes of it. The resources that will be beneficial to me would be anything relating to health care in Bangladesh, their different cultural views (both related to medicine and not), and how these views may lead to perceived illnesses that otherwise may not exist. Also helpful would be sources about other cultures that have misconceived ideas about illness as a result of culture.