The thesis focuses on the issue of stigmatization of depressive disorder in modern Chinese society and explores its impact on diagnosis and on the treatment of individuals with depression. By reviewing the literature in areas such as medical anthropology, psychology and psychiatry, as well as Chinese state mental health legislation, the popular Chinese social network Weibo and similar forums, the author answers the question of how mental disorders have been treated in the past and how they are treated in Chinese society now and analyzes society’s responses and cultural specifics in this regard. The beginnings of psychiatry in China date back to the 19th century, when missionaries brought a new idea for psychiatric institutions and the treatment of mental disorders. During the Cultural Revolution psychiatry was abused and mental disorders took on a distinctly negative connotation. The consequences of this period also extend to the present, where mental problems are often concealed and therefore the search for help is delayed as well. Depression is especially stigmatized because it is a mood disorder and is often belittled in China as laziness or excessive sensitivity, but it has a major impact on quality of life and can lead to suicide. Because people with depression want to avoid stigma, the problems are often somatized, meaning the afflicted focus on physical aspects (such as insomnia). Due to peculiarity of Chinese cultural setting, talk therapy also had to be adapted and, through the process of indigenization, new therapeutic modalities were created, which are more suited to the Chinese experience. Among the younger generations the stigma is less pronounced, but because of privacy they prefer to seek help and support through online alternatives.
|
