do people in africa have these problems or any other mental health problems?

[kc1980]

The previous poster is right, I think, there are very large differences in how people live in Africa, even in the same country. Some people in the big cities have very 'Western', 'modern' ways of life, and have a high level of education, have access to internet, media, latest technology,etc. Other people still live very traditionally, especially in rural areas. And I guess many people in Africa are in a situation somewhere between both ends.

Depression in African countries has not been studied as thoroughly as it has been in Europe and the United States for example. And then most studies were done in South Africa. That is why data about depression in third world countries are much less reliable, and some people came to the conclusion that it doesn't occur there very much. I saw some recent studies indicating that it is however also quite common in African countries. As can be expected, poverty, disease, hunger or trauma because of violence can increase the risk of becoming seriously depressed. Although being poor is not the main cause of depression, just as it is not in the West, as the majority of poor people will not become clinically depressed, and also rich people can suffer from depression. The symptoms are usually the same as in "Western" countries. Overall the rates of incidence seems to be somewhat lower than in the United States for example, but that doesn't mean that it doesn't affect millions of people there, who will often not have access to much treatment for their depression.

On the positive side for Africa, maybe, I think that part of the reason why depression might occur a bit more in Western countries, is that family ties are overall less strong than in African countries, where family members or local commmunities will support each other more strongly in some cases, than in Western society, where a lot of social isolation exists.

 

[vj288]

Mental health problems vary tremendously between cultures and time. In order for something to be a mental health problem it has to impair functioning in some way, or make life more difficult to live normally in their society. Schizophrenia is an easy example of this is. In almost every modern society, it is impossible to live a normal life without any sort of treatment if you have Schizophrenia. Hearing voices specifically in some cases makes the person look (and sometimes feel) "crazy." But in some tribes, whether they're Indian, African, what have you, what we consider schizophrenia would be a gift to them. They're able to communicate with outside forces that will help guide them. They may be in a very high position of power for this reason.

That was an easy example, since the cultures are so different. If you were to go back to the US 60-70 years ago, you'd be in a place where Homosexuality was considered a mental problem, it was in the DSM and being diagnosed by psychologist. It was being treated. It was considered a mental problem.

So I'm not sure if by Africa you meant all of Africa or the stereotypical poor, dying Africans put on infomercials in order to guilt people into donating money, but either way mental problems will vary based on what is socially acceptable and allows proper functioning in the society. I think in modern African societies that are similar to those of American and European cultures have just as many mental problems as we do. The greater difference between the cultures, the greater the difference between what each considers a mental problem.

 

[kihira]

^rep

...............

 

[JamesSmith]

It seems people have different problems to worry about there, like death and rape:

The number of women raped at least once in the conflict-torn eastern province of North Kivu – 67 per 1,000, according to the study – means a woman there is more than 100 times more likely to be raped than a woman in the United States.

I also read in the newspaper and it's weird how they just casually list that hundreds of people were murdered in Rwanda or some other African country. They put it in this small side column that looks unimportant. I feel sorry for the dark continent because of how bad the conditions are there, and how ignored they are by countries like us (USA).

 

[Beatrice]

Depression is definitely more prevalent in the industrialized Western world. Every country that embraces the mantra of looking out for oneself and living for themselves ranks among the top for depression and overall unhappiness. There are many places in Africa were they are starving in a violent, often war-torn, environment, yet they are overall much happier, jovial and more well rounded people. I've seen this from both sides of the divide myself, born and raised in Africa, spending more than half my life abroad.

It also no surprise that societies that value community start with the family unit as the foundation for harmony in their society. We can see already that this is not so here. I very, very rarely see families with a significant degree of functionality.

THIS.

This makes me so sad.... People here are so cold in comparison. Everyone so anti-touch and anti-community. They just want to stay in their safe little bubbles.

 

[MollyBeGood]

I often wonder this about the Native Americans. I just read though that they thought people with mental illness were "touched" and they looked upon them with reverence.. so there's a different take for ya all.

 

[Hoppy]

As an African I probably should comment, as a South African I shouldn't say anything about what is happenng North of the Limpopo and as a white South African I should keep my mouth shut.

But my experience is that people are the same all over the world, no matter what race. At work we are 14 people, talking 5 languages, and problems and issues are the same across the board. Stereotypes is only convenient when you keep your mind closed.

In South Africa there is also mental health issues, there is a South African Depression and Anxiety support group


http://www.sadag.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=70

 

[urzad]

Yes why not. I am an example and there are many peoples like me all over the continent.

 

[Flanscho]

Depends what kind of africa do you mean.

This one? Sure.

This one? Probably too. But the poverty forces them to overcome such problems, or die.

This one? Probably not as much.

 

[Srijita52]

Depends what kind of africa do you mean.

This one? Sure.

This one? Probably too. But the poverty forces them to overcome such problems, or die.

This one? Probably not as much.

^But why not?

 

[ForeverTheWeirdKid]

Such an ignorant question.

 

[Ashiene]

To say that a group of people have no mental health problems based on their race and ethnicity or where they come from, is the very basis for racism.

 

[springk]

I think that it is a result of prevalent diagnosis, which does not have to correspond with actual incidence. American is awash with psychologists and it's culturally acceptable to be treated, not to mention accessible, where the same may not be true elsewhere.

This^
Mental health care is a huge factor. Many people dont get proper diagnosis.
So the statistics showing the number of people with mental illness will naturally be low in Africa or any other less "developed" country/ continent.

The view about having a different kind of social structure can affect the amount of people having such illness.
But then there are i m sure many people in such countries that need help and unfortunately denied.
Yeah i think humans suffer from mental conditions whether its x or y country.

 

[laure15]

^I agree. People of every ethnicity and culture suffer from mental health problems. Corrupt politicians, murderers, rapists, thieves, criminals - they probably aren't as mentaly healthy as we think.

 

[morphine4mysoul]

Exactly. This is what I meant pretty much. Not to say they don't have their issues; of course they do, they're human. And they have issues we DON'T have, for sure. But overall they probably have better mental health. At least, I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

I agree. I think that in other countries that have less materially they have serious problems and challenges but not like SA so much because the sense of community in greater they rely more on each other for basic survival so it's not like you don't know your neighbors you generally know most other people in your community from a young age I'm being general of course.

 

[morphine4mysoul]

Such an ignorant question.

:thumbdown:
I don't like your tone. The question was more intelligent than you could possibly imagine. It's was a little vague however social anxiety at it's core is perpetuated by the culture of many countries. It would be absurd to think that mental illness only exists in the 1st world countries or is specific to region but it's definitely influenced by culture.

 

[morphine4mysoul]

I think that is a result of modern living and not just in america. We are happiest living the natural communal nomadic lifestyle.

yes I agree with this. I think that was the actually intention of the question about Africa although specifically saying The continent Africa is vague and misleading and offended some people and some people became hyper-sensitive.

 

[Conrad-m]

Such an ignorant question.

I don't think it is an ignorant question. I learnt that people from south America barely suffer from depression it was a surprise for me. Some mental problems might be caused by the place you have been living for example in Japan there is high risk for a suicide because of the preasure. I think this question is totally fine . Actually I'm interested too

 

[nicole1]

I skimmed through but no one pointed out that Africa is not a country. African Americans are not African, but they are Americans who have ancestry in Africa (and other regions). Charlize Theron is African due to the fact that's where she was born. I'm American since this is the place I was born.

Also, people of any background can experience anxiety and other mental health issues. It all depends on situation. I had a friend from Nigeria who seemed to me to be very timid. He is a well educated guy, but has a real shyness about him...well did. It seems he outgrew it. But he is just one of many examples of people I know as everyone, no matter their background, varies when it comes to mental health and wellness.

 

[Hellhound]

Mental illness doesn't discriminate.