From peculiar psychiatric disorders through culture-bound syndromes to culture-related specific syndromes.
This article reviews the historical evolution and progress of nosological concepts from exotic psychiatric disorders and culture-bound syndromes to culture-related specific syndromes. Approaches to classification and subgrouping these disorders are disccused and an argument offered for finding a place for culturally unique syndromes in the existing classification system. The characteristics of various syndromes are elaborated and suggestions are made for future research. Finally, emphasis is given to the need to be concerned with the impact of culture on every psychiatric disorder, not only culture-specific syndromes, to promote culturally competent care for every patient.
Tseng
Wen-Shing
WS
Department of Psychiatry, University of Hawaii School of Medicine, Honolulu, Hi 96813-2421, USA. TsengW@dop.hawaii.edu
D003469:Culture; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000266:history*; D013001:Somatoform Disorders / Q000266:history*; D013577:Syndrome