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mgb_phys said:Shouldn't it be the Austrian-isation of mental illness?
If everybody still bases everything on a couple of guys from Vienna a century ago.
Does Your Soul Have A Cold?
IFC Film Synopsis
2006 | Director: Mike Mills | TVMA
Directed by acclaimed independent filmmaker Mike Mills ("Thumbsucker"), "Does Your Soul Have a Cold?" looks at the impact of exporting American definitions of depression and the use of antidepressants to the ancient culture of Japan over the past several years.
In 1999, American pharmaceutical companies, seeking to expand their markets, helped to create a huge ad campaign to educate Japanese about mild depression. The campaign centered on the slogan "Does Your Soul Have a Cold?" Since then, Japanese awareness of depression has rapidly increased along with rising sales of antidepressants.
"Does Your Soul Have a Cold?" is an intimate and compassionate journey into the lives of five depressed Japanese individuals who decide to take antidepressants. Their personal histories are examined, together with their hopes and fears, ultimately offering an intriguing perspective on the broad socio-cultural issues that are only now being uncovered in Japan.
mgb_phys said:
"The Americanization of Mental Illness" refers to the concept that the way mental illnesses are perceived, diagnosed, and treated in the United States has greatly influenced and even shaped the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses in other parts of the world.
Some examples include the widespread use of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as the standard for diagnosing mental illnesses, the emphasis on individualistic and biomedical approaches to treatment, and the influence of American pharmaceutical companies on the availability and use of psychiatric medications globally.
The impact of "The Americanization of Mental Illness" on other cultures is complex and often controversial. On one hand, it has led to the recognition and treatment of mental illnesses that were previously stigmatized or ignored in some cultures. On the other hand, it has also been criticized for promoting a narrow and Western-centric view of mental health and for disregarding cultural differences and beliefs in the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses.
There is no clear answer to this question. While the American approach has been successful in many cases, it also has its limitations and has been subject to criticism and controversy. It is important to recognize that different cultures have their own unique ways of addressing mental health issues and that what may work for one culture may not necessarily work for another.
One way to address the negative effects of "The Americanization of Mental Illness" is to promote cultural competency and diversity in mental health care. This includes training mental health professionals to be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences and to incorporate culturally appropriate approaches into their practice. It is also important to involve individuals from diverse backgrounds in the development and dissemination of mental health information and resources.