Week 6 Assignment 1
Application: Culture-Bound Syndromes
The American Psychiatric Association authors the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM). It is the main reference used by mental health professionals in the United States to
identify and describe the symptoms of mental disorders. The DSM-5 (fifth edition) is especially noteworthy
for its inclusion of culture-bound syndromes, developed by the National Institute of Mental Health Group on
Culture and Diagnosis (Mezzich et al., 1996). The World Health Organization also publishes a manual, the
International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems(ICD). Since international
professionals and those in the United States collaborate, the descriptions of mental illness in both
publications are very similar. But are mental disorders in different cultures throughout the world really
alike?
How would a health professional approach treating someone who presents with a culture-bound
syndrome? There is no one-to-one correspondence between a culture-bound syndrome and a DSM
diagnosis. However, a psychologist will need to utilize the DSM, ICD, or similar diagnostic tool as part of
the professional health community. It could be a starting point for determining the most appropriate
treatment as part of a holistic approach in diagnosing a person who is suffering.
In this Assignment, you explore different culture-bound syndromes and analyze the application of DSM-5
diagnostic criteria to specific culture-bound syndromes of your choice.
To prepare for this Assignment:
Review the chapter, “Psychological Disorders” in your course text, Cross-Cultural Psychology: Critical
Thinking and Contemporary Applications (5th ed.), with particular attention to the sections on the
DSM-5 and culture-bound syndromes.
Review Table 9.2, “Specific Culture-Bound Syndromes,” in the course text.
Select five to eight culture-bound syndromes from Table 9.2.
Review the chapter on Cultural Formation and the Appendix, "Glossary of Cultural Concepts of
Distress" found in the Walden Library. Note that possible diagnoses are listed for some syndromes,
but you will need to select and defend one diagnosis.
Explore the DSM-5 and think about how the culture-bound syndromes you selected may be diagnosed
if applying the DSM-5 criteria.
To complete this Assignment, submit by Day 7 a completed worksheet (see this Week’s Learning
Resources). You will need to select five to eight culture-bound syndromes and complete the following
on each row:
The name of the culture-bound syndrome you selected.
A description of the main symptoms and behaviors of the culture-bound syndrome.
The DSM-5 disorder that you believe would be a possible diagnosis of your selected culture-bound
syndrome.
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Assignment
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https://class.waldenu.edu/bbcswebdav/institution/USW1/201670_05/BS…
The key symptoms and behaviors related to your chosen DSM-5 diagnosis that relate to the
culture-bound syndrome.
A brief rationale of your choice.
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