ETHNOMEDICAL APPROACH
The ethnomedical approach focuses on medical approaches in not only one, but many different societies. They study these societies different methods of diagnosis and treatment of illness. Using this approach medical anthropologists can find the best way to treat and diagnose a disease through trial and error of other cultures experience. This approach also brings new options to the patient and doctor to experiment with ,that they may not have heard of or used previously.
The ethnomedical approach focuses on medical approaches in not only one, but many different societies. They study these societies different methods of diagnosis and treatment of illness. Using this approach medical anthropologists can find the best way to treat and diagnose a disease through trial and error of other cultures experience. This approach also brings new options to the patient and doctor to experiment with ,that they may not have heard of or used previously.
Cultural Systems
Culture is an important concept to study when discussing illness because it determines things such as financial, social, and health conditions. Certain cultural systems may also be more prevalent to anxiety disorders depending on what they value. By viewing cultures and their lifestyles it may show a correlation between higher stress rates and more diagnoses of anxiety disorder. For example, in Western culture we place a great value on income and social status. This may explain why the graph on the left displays extremely high rates of generalized anxiety disorder for almost every race in America. America is an extremely competitive and stressful country to live in with high expectations for success. Culture also influences our health beliefs and treatment. What one culture may view as a disorder, others may not. Once there is a correlation made between culture and the illness an anthropologist may be able to properly develop a solution.
Seeking Treatment
In Western culture people tend to seek professional help when their anxiety disorder is affecting their everyday life. People understand that doctors are there to help solve our issues whether they are on a mental or physical level. Doctors will often prescribe drugs or recommend weekly therapy with a counselor/group. Our culture thinks very highly of professionals in the medical field, which is why most patients would choose them over other treatment options. There are folk remedies used in Western culture for anxiety disorders that are more holistic. Some of these natural remedies include chamomile, green tea, herbal supplements such as valerian, lemon balm, and exercise. The most popular treatment for anxiety in Western culture is prescription pills. Doctors in western culture who do not take the holistic route usually turn to prescribing drugs such as Xannex or Valium to slow down the patient’s central nervous system and reduce anxiety. Prescription pills are becoming more popular in western culture now more than ever. While society is becoming more casual about taking pills to solve their medical issues they may not be the best treatment option. Below is a visual diagram showing how all of these sectors combine and overlap.
Culture is an important concept to study when discussing illness because it determines things such as financial, social, and health conditions. Certain cultural systems may also be more prevalent to anxiety disorders depending on what they value. By viewing cultures and their lifestyles it may show a correlation between higher stress rates and more diagnoses of anxiety disorder. For example, in Western culture we place a great value on income and social status. This may explain why the graph on the left displays extremely high rates of generalized anxiety disorder for almost every race in America. America is an extremely competitive and stressful country to live in with high expectations for success. Culture also influences our health beliefs and treatment. What one culture may view as a disorder, others may not. Once there is a correlation made between culture and the illness an anthropologist may be able to properly develop a solution.
Seeking Treatment
In Western culture people tend to seek professional help when their anxiety disorder is affecting their everyday life. People understand that doctors are there to help solve our issues whether they are on a mental or physical level. Doctors will often prescribe drugs or recommend weekly therapy with a counselor/group. Our culture thinks very highly of professionals in the medical field, which is why most patients would choose them over other treatment options. There are folk remedies used in Western culture for anxiety disorders that are more holistic. Some of these natural remedies include chamomile, green tea, herbal supplements such as valerian, lemon balm, and exercise. The most popular treatment for anxiety in Western culture is prescription pills. Doctors in western culture who do not take the holistic route usually turn to prescribing drugs such as Xannex or Valium to slow down the patient’s central nervous system and reduce anxiety. Prescription pills are becoming more popular in western culture now more than ever. While society is becoming more casual about taking pills to solve their medical issues they may not be the best treatment option. Below is a visual diagram showing how all of these sectors combine and overlap.
"The Body"
According to the article by Lock and Scheper-Huges the body can be viewed as “a phenomenally experienced individual, a social body, and as a body politic”. The individual body concerns the mind, psyche and soul. An individual’s specific psyche has a huge impact in how they respond to certain situations and stress. Observing the way an individual acts on a personal level a psychologist can determine coping skills that would benefit them in future circumstances. The social body deals with how we view nature society and culture. All of these things can be studied in the diagnosis and treatment of this illness because they are a part of everyday life. Socially, how we as people interact and handle situations may determine our level of stress or anxiety. The politic body deals with the regulation control and surveillance of our bodies. The way in which societies control their citizens may determine if areas are more prone to anxiety disorders. A society with stricter policies may mean more pressure to obey rules and conform, causing extreme stress. An anthropologist may look at societies such as this, and recommend that more support groups or treatment options available.
According to the article by Lock and Scheper-Huges the body can be viewed as “a phenomenally experienced individual, a social body, and as a body politic”. The individual body concerns the mind, psyche and soul. An individual’s specific psyche has a huge impact in how they respond to certain situations and stress. Observing the way an individual acts on a personal level a psychologist can determine coping skills that would benefit them in future circumstances. The social body deals with how we view nature society and culture. All of these things can be studied in the diagnosis and treatment of this illness because they are a part of everyday life. Socially, how we as people interact and handle situations may determine our level of stress or anxiety. The politic body deals with the regulation control and surveillance of our bodies. The way in which societies control their citizens may determine if areas are more prone to anxiety disorders. A society with stricter policies may mean more pressure to obey rules and conform, causing extreme stress. An anthropologist may look at societies such as this, and recommend that more support groups or treatment options available.
Sources:
Hoffman, Stefan. Richey, Anthony and Asnaani, Anu. " A Cross- Ethnic Comparison of Lifetime Prevalence Rates of Anxiety Disorders". Accessed August 13, 2013. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931265/?tool=pubmed
Luru, Quynh. "Core Concepts in Social and Medical Anthropology". Accessed August 12, 2013. http://reach.gopfp.gov.vn/English/Publication%206.htm
Scheper-Huges and Lock. "The Mindful Body: A Prolegomenon to Future Work in Medical Anthropology". Accessed August 12, 2013. http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp204-us13/files/2012/06/The-Mindful-Body.pdf
Hoffman, Stefan. Richey, Anthony and Asnaani, Anu. " A Cross- Ethnic Comparison of Lifetime Prevalence Rates of Anxiety Disorders". Accessed August 13, 2013. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2931265/?tool=pubmed
Luru, Quynh. "Core Concepts in Social and Medical Anthropology". Accessed August 12, 2013. http://reach.gopfp.gov.vn/English/Publication%206.htm
Scheper-Huges and Lock. "The Mindful Body: A Prolegomenon to Future Work in Medical Anthropology". Accessed August 12, 2013. http://anthropology.msu.edu/anp204-us13/files/2012/06/The-Mindful-Body.pdf