ill-health = state of fragmentation and disintegration • disharmony → Body and mind are a unit, so physical health and mental health are seen as one • mental illness Not devoid of physical symptoms → ∴ Psychosomatic disorders → There is a primary indivisible unity between mind and body, unlike the western • reciprocity Stress Can be work-related in a Western view • → community related in an African view →Most likely Psychopathology linked to ancestors, malignant spirits and sorcerers. • pathological behavior result of disharmony between a person and the ancestors → ∴ caused by evil spells or deeds of malignant spirits or → sorcerers Thwawa = process of becoming an traditional healer • often involves an illness → What is important is not what caused an illness, but who brought it about • Dreams Not symbolic, but direct communication from ancestors. • → check p 558 PSYCHOTHERAPY Words have less value in an African context • Verbal communication thus less NB as part of therapy ○ Rhythmic dancing, singing and ritual are important avenues for healing ○ Healing should be grounded in the collective existence • Treatment should involve the whole family ○ social responses to •African perspectives emphasize “collective afflictions” as opposed to Western individualistic diagnoses.
• ill-health = state of fragmentation and disintegration → disharmony • Body and mind are a unit, so physical health and mental health are seen as one ∴ mental illness → Not devoid of physical symptoms → Psychosomatic disorders • There is a primary indivisible unity between mind and body, unlike the western reciprocity • Stress → Can be work-related in a Western view →Most likely community related in an African view • Psychopathology linked to ancestors, malignant spirits and sorcerers. ∴ pathological behavior → result of disharmony between a person and the ancestors → caused by evil spells or deeds of malignant spirits or sorcerers • Thwawa = process of becoming an traditional healer → often involves an illness • What is important is not what caused an illness, but who brought it about • Dreams → Not symbolic, but direct communication from ancestors. check p 558 PSYCHOTHERAPY • Words have less value in an African context ○ Verbal communication thus less NB as part of therapy ○ Rhythmic dancing, singing and ritual are important avenues for healing • Healing should be grounded in the collective existence ○ Treatment should involve the whole family •African perspectives emphasize “collective social responses to afflictions” as opposed to Western individualistic diagnoses.
PYC2601-African-Perspectives-Chapter-17.docx