Culture-Bound Syndromes in Popular Culture

This book explores culture-bound syndromes, such as hwabyung, hikikomori, taijin kyofusho, zou huo ru mo, sati, amok, Cuban hysteria, voodoo death, and others, and how they have been depicted in popular culture across various genres and mediums. It offers a comprehensive analysis of how these syndromes have been represented and interpreted in popular culture, providing insights into the cultural and societal factors that contribute to their manifestation.

Format: Unspecified
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive volume delves into the realm of culture-bound syndromes, which are patterns of symptoms (mental, physical, and/or relational) exclusive to specific cultural groups and recognized as disorders by those groups. These syndromes manifest as unique experiences that are not shared by individuals outside of their cultural background. The book explores the extensive coverage of culture-bound syndromes in popular culture across various genres and mediums, including film, television, literature, graphic novels, and anime.

The chapters within this anthology offer a diverse range of approaches to analyze how popular culture has engaged with specific culture-bound syndromes such as hwabyung, hikikomori, taijin kyofusho, zou huo ru mo, sati, amok, Cuban hysteria, voodoo death, and numerous others. By examining these phenomena through a global and interdisciplinary lens, the book facilitates scholars and students of popular culture, media and film studies, comparative literature, medical humanities, cultural psychiatry, and philosophy to explore simultaneously a multitude of popular cultures and culturally rooted mental health disorders.

The significance of this volume lies in its groundbreaking approach to understanding the intersection of culture and mental health. By shedding light on these culture-bound syndromes, the book challenges prevailing notions of mental illness and promotes a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of human experiences. It underscores the importance of recognizing and respecting cultural differences, as well as the potential for cross-cultural dialogue and understanding to foster empathy and compassion.

In conclusion, this volume serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and practitioners interested in exploring the complex relationship between culture and mental health. It provides a comprehensive examination of culture-bound syndromes, their prevalence in popular culture, and the ways in which they have been interpreted and represented. By offering a multidisciplinary perspective, the book fosters a deeper understanding of the human condition and encourages cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration.

Weight: 790g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032452685