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Other Comments:
This is a very interesting paper describing single case studies of psychiatric disturbances that are described or interpreted with highly mystical interpretation by the patients and family. Once the cases are properly understood within the cultural background of the patient and implemented with proper medical diagnosis and treatment the knot can be untied by the psychiatrist. The author should be congratulated for his enlightened approach to the patient's story which takes into account those small little details that make the story comprehensible and treatable. I would definitely recommend new-age exorcism to the list of necessary qualifications in Psychiatry...Another interesting point is how medication can interact with innocent daily activity (like playing a musical instrument) to produce bizarre psychological phenomena. My understanding is that medical knowledge requires a great deal of practical understanding and commonsense otherwise the cases can be stange indeed!
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Competing interests:
None
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Invited by the author to review this article? :
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Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
No
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Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
I am a Neuro-psychologist with personal experience in psychotherapy (including Jungian) so the topic always fascinates me although I don't encounter it in my work.
- How to cite: Weinstein A .Demons and spirits in the 3rd millenium- how the stories are demystified[Review of the article 'Demons and spirits in the 3rd millennium - the haunting goes on ' by Schreiber S].WebmedCentral 2011;2(1):WMCRW00421
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Other Comments:
The importance of this article is in helping psychiatrists understand that difference between cultures renders different types of diagnosis and treatment.
Psychiatry is different then all other branches of medicine. In all branches of medicine but psychiatry, patients are treated the same, regardless of their culture. The current article focuses on the differences between cultures regarding their view of demons and spirits and its effect on their mental health. Psychiatrists, as well as all other mental health professionals, should be aware that a behavior viewed as acceptable and even part of the norms in one culture may be regarded as a deviant and even pathological in another culture.
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Invited by the author to review this article? :
Yes -
Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
Yes
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References:
Elitzur, B. (2006). Hypnosis from an Evolutionary Perspective. European Journal of Clinical Hypnosis. Vol. 7. issue 1. pp. 38-44. -
Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
Clinical Psychologist
- How to cite: Elitzur B .Demons and spirits in the 3rd millennium - the haunting goes on [Review of the article 'Demons and spirits in the 3rd millennium - the haunting goes on ' by Schreiber S].WebmedCentral 2011;2(1):WMCRW00337
- Other Comments: This paper raises an important issue often ignored by western physicians (psychiatrists); the cultural background of patients. The author calls psychiatrists to respect and attempt to understand the cultural context and metaphors of patients? behavior as an integral part of the diagnostic process. This consideration may render real meaning to behaviors that may otherwise seem bizarre and even pathological to modern western culture psychiatry. The author alerts the psychiatric consultant who ignores the cultural context of patients, for the risk of incorrect diagnoses that may lead to inappropriate treatment. The Case Studies are genuine and fascinating, vividly presented and reflect the learning process of an intellectually curious, medically knowledgeable and wise physician. The conclusions of this paper are not derived from evidence-based research, which in this field is extremely difficult to conduct. Nevertheless, the paper shed light on the important issue of cultural context of diagnosis and calls mental health professionals to the necessity of incorporating culture into their complex considerations when diagnosing and treating patients.
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Invited by the author to review this article? :
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Have you previously published on this or a similar topic?:
No
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References:
None -
Experience and credentials in the specific area of science:
None - How to cite: Zohar O .Demons and spirits in the 3rd millennium - the haunting goes on [Review of the article 'Demons and spirits in the 3rd millennium - the haunting goes on ' by Schreiber S].WebmedCentral 2011;1(9):WMCRW0043
Interesting and well written article on a subject we are facing more and more often in Italy due to the relevant immigration form FarEastern and NorthAfrican Countries.
Psychiatrsts do need cultural mediators to be able to establish a contact with these patients: the cartesian category of "erklaeren" (explain) things is not sufficient; instead to comprehend ("verstehen") is required, according to Karl Jaspers, when dealing with psychiatric disturbances. Obviously when there are deep linguistic and cultural gaps things become more and more difficult.
The article is well written and cases are re-interpreted according a trans-cultural psychiatric attitude.
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I am a psychiatrist working in a Psychiatrc Ward of an Italian General Hospital since 1979.