Psychosis among the Mayan people of Mexico
Pat Gibbons
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine September 1, 1996 DOI: 10.1017/s0790966700002706 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A Mayan patient with a chronic psychotic illness in Mexico |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Argues that the Mayan concept of illness differs radically from Western views, with Mayan people relying on traditional healers (herbal medicines, prayers, magico-religious rituals) in the absence of formal psychiatric services. A case history of a Mayan patient with chronic psychotic illness is used to illustrate the gulf between Western and folk concepts of mental illness, and the author contends these cultural differences may profoundly affect the application of modern psychiatric interventions in developing countries. |
Abstract
Abstract The Mayan people of Mexico have a radically different concept of illness than that of western countries. In the absence of any formal psychiatric service in their area, the people continue to rely on the interventions of the traditional healers, which include the use of herbal medicines, prayers and magico-religious rituals. A case history of a Mayan patient with a chronic psychotic illness is described, which illustrates the gulf in concepts of mental illness that exists between Western and folk cultures. These cultural differences may have a profound impact on the application of modern psychiatric interventions in developing countries.